cramp 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈkramp How to pronounce cramp (audio)
Definition of crampnext
as in stitch
a painful sudden tightening of a muscle I was suddenly awakened by a cramp in my leg

Synonyms & Similar Words

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cramp

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult an antismoking ordinance that was seen as just another cramp on business by bar owners

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cramp

3 of 3

verb

as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of having to constantly entertain guests at the summer cottage was really cramping my writing efforts

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cramp
Noun
Edgewater defensive tackle Wes Hendry walks off the field with cramps. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 Signs of heat exhaustion that parents should look for include heavy sweating, weakness or fainting, cold or pale skin and muscle cramps. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
This allows more room at the toe box without the need to size up or cramp your toes into a small space. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026 The glass door also opens up the cabin visually, which makes the space feel less cramped. — Evan Russum, Architectural Digest, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cramp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cramp
  1. stitch
  2. obstacle
  3. impede
  4. contraction
  5. hurdle
  6. hinder
  7. spasm
  8. embarrassment
Noun
  • The attack left her with dozens of stitches and injuries to her face, arms and legs.
    — Karina Nova, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • As a result, Bellin was left with cuts all over her face, arm and legs and required 22 stitches and a rabies vaccination.
    — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of stitch
Noun
  • Both benefit from improved navigation, apparently able to avoid cables and other obstacles as small as 2mm in size, as well as transparent objects like mirrors or glass.
    — Dominic Preston, The Verge, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The 340-pound ball is just soft enough to bounce lightly over bumpy obstacles, but its slight overpressure keeps it relatively firm.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of obstacle
Verb
  • Cornstarch can create issues like clogging sprayers, impeding root growth, or interfering with leaf function.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But Blanche played down concerns that the erosion of judicial trust could impede his efforts to advance his agenda.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of impede
Noun
  • The dip over the past few years was driven primarily by a major contraction of the offshore wind industry.
    — Eugenia Perozo, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • With basic cable on the decline and HBO Max pulling away from kids and family original programming, Register’s domain has undergone contraction since Warner Bros Animation’s heyday.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of contraction
Noun
  • But Oxley, writing in a commentary, cautioned that there are logistical hurdles and said the value of Venezuela’s reserves may have been exaggerated under former President Hugo Chavez.
    — Collin Binkley, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Secondly, insurance and safety inspections remain critical hurdles.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of hurdle
Verb
  • The money hurts, sure, and the bans aren’t fun, but losing five straight first-round picks can completely hinder a franchise.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • For example, Otto’s research has shown that, in yeast, having extra copies of every gene hinders the organism’s ability to adapt to the common antifungal medication nystatin.
    — Carrie Arnold Contributing, Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of hinder
Noun
  • Will Smith is set to rejoin the Dodgers after being sidelined since early June with neck spasms.
    — Katie Woo, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • For some reason, her spasms of agony were never spoken of in the daytime; there was no place for them in the family discourse.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of spasm
Noun
  • He’s particularly drawn to episodes that are discomforting for his countrymen—the Dreyfus Affair, and, a recent obsession, French accommodation in Nazi rule during the Occupation, a national embarrassment that was long passed over in silence.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Just the latest embarrassment from the worst president in any of our lifetimes.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of embarrassment

Phrases Containing cramp

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cramming
cramp
cramped
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Cite this Entry

“Cramp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cramp. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cramp

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cramp

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