cramp
1 of 4noun (1)
ˈkramp 
1
: a painful involuntary spasmodic contraction of a muscle
2
: a temporary paralysis of muscles from overuse compare writer's cramp
3
a
: sharp abdominal pain —usually used in plural
b
: persistent and often intense though dull lower abdominal pain associated with dysmenorrhea —usually used in plural
crampy
ˈkram-pē
adjective cramp
2 of 4noun (2)
1
a
: a usually iron device bent at the ends and used to hold timbers or blocks of stone together
b
: clamp
2
a
: something that confines : shackle
b
: the state of being confined
cramp
3 of 4verb
cramped; cramping; cramps
transitive verb
1
: to affect with or as if with a cramp or cramps
2
a
: confine, restrain
was cramped in the tiny apartment
b
: to restrain from free expression —used especially in the phrase cramp one's style
My mother wasn't one to do much cooking. It cramped her style.
Lonnée Hamilton
Lonnée Hamilton3
: to fasten or hold with a cramp
intransitive verb
: to be affected with cramps
cramp
4 of 4adjective
1
: hard to understand or figure out
cramp law terms
cramp handwriting
2
: being cramped
a cramp corner
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- charley horse
- crick
- kink
- spasm
Noun (2)
- balk
- bar
- block
- chain
- clog
- crimp
- deterrent
- drag
- embarrassment
- encumbrance
- fetter
- handicap
- hindrance
- holdback
- hurdle
- impediment
- inhibition
- interference
- let
- manacle
- obstacle
- obstruction
- shackles
- stop
- stumbling block
- trammel
Verb
- clog
- embarrass
- encumber
- fetter
- hamper
- handcuff
- handicap
- hinder
- hobble
- hog-tie
- hold back
- hold up
- impede
- inhibit
- interfere (with)
- manacle
- obstruct
- shackle
- short-circuit
- stymie
- tie up
- trammel
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb Writing for such a long time may cramp your hand. His leg was cramping so badly he could hardly move it. The new regulations may cramp the company's financial growth.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English crampe, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch crampe; akin to Old High German krampf bent
Noun (2)
Middle English crampe, from Middle Dutch
First Known Use
Noun (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Adjective
1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing cramp
Kids Definition
cramp 1 of 2
noun
ˈkramp
1
: a sudden painful tightening of a muscle
2
: sharp pain in the abdomen —usually used in pl.
cramp
2 of 2verb
cramped; cramping
1
: to cause or experience a sudden painful muscular tightening in
My hand was cramping from all the writing.
2
: to hold back from free action or expression : hamper
We were cramped by all the rules.
Medical Definition
cramp 1 of 2
noun
ˈkramp
1
: a painful involuntary spasmodic contraction of a muscle
a cramp in the leg
2
: a temporary paralysis of muscles from overuse see writer's cramp
3
a
: sharp abdominal pain —usually used in plural
b
: persistent and often intense though dull lower abdominal pain associated with dysmenorrhea —usually used in plural
cramp
2 of 2transitive verb
: to affect with or as if with a cramp or cramps
gout cramping his limbs
intransitive verb
: to suffer from cramps
cramps 1 of 3
noun (1)
as in contractions
a painful sudden tightening of a muscle I was suddenly awakened by a cramp in my leg Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- contractions
- spasms
- kinks
- stitches
- pangs
- twitches
- twinges
- cricks
- jerks
- charley horses
cramps
2 of 3noun (2)
as in obstacles
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
- obstacles
- embarrassments
- hurdles
- obstructions
- interferences
- barriers
- burdens
- impediments
- hindrances
- handicaps
- constraints
- stops
- clogs
- inhibitions
- shackles
- encumbrances
- hitches
- fetters
- delays
- loads
- blocks
- stumbling blocks
- chains
- manacles
- lets
- stoppages
- trammels
- brakes
- restraints
- deterrents
- blockages
- difficulties
- snags
- crimps
- curbs
- balks
- dangers
- blockades
- drags
- disadvantages
- hardships
- rubs
- stone walls
- bars
- reins
- hazards
- holdbacks
- arrests
- brick walls
- catches
- holdups
- embargoes
- hobbles
- drawbacks
- stalls
- perils
- cumbers
- adversities
- reefs
- checks
- bits
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- stimulants
- spurs
- stimuli
- incentives
- advantages
- breaks
- edges
- catalysts
- aids
- benefits
- impetuses
- help
- goads
- assistances
- boosts
- handmaids
- handmaidens
cramps
3 of 3verb
as in hinders
to create difficulty for the work or activity of having to constantly entertain guests at the summer cottage was really cramping my writing efforts Synonyms & Similar Words
- hinders
- hampers
- impedes
- handicaps
- delays
- embarrasses
- obstructs
- blocks
- clogs
- fetters
- shackles
- inhibits
- manacles
- handcuffs
- trammels
- hobbles
- stymies
- restrains
- holds back
- hog-ties
- curbs
- cramps one's style
- constrains
- encumbers
- brakes
- disrupts
- ties up
- short-circuits
- reins
- ties
- frustrates
- retards
- interferes (with)
- gives a hard time
- roadblocks
- thwarts
- halters
- chains
- blockades
- stifles
- checks
- leashes
- balks
- stumps
- barricades
- arrests
- holds up
- strangles
- baffles
- tethers
- chokes
- binds
- confines
- foils
- retains
- suffocates
- sabotages
- derails
- bogs (down)
- muzzles
- mires
- smothers
- represses
- suppresses
- hems (in)
- hedges (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- aids
- helps
- assists
- facilitates
- opens
- frees
- unstops
- releases
- clears
- liberates
- unties
- unclogs
- loosens
- makes way
- smooths
- smoothes
- encourages
- promotes
- unplugs
- furthers