Cramp — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb adjective /ˈkramp/

Meaning & Definition of Cramp

Cramp (noun)

  1. a painful involuntary spasmodic contraction of a muscle
  2. a temporary paralysis of muscles from overuse
  3. sharp abdominal pain —usually used in plural
  4. a usually iron device bent at the ends and used to hold timbers or blocks of stone together
  5. clamp
  6. something that confines, shackle

Cramp (verb)

  1. to affect with or as if with a cramp or cramps
  2. confine, restrain
  3. to restrain from free expression —used especially in the phrase cramp one's style

Cramp (adjective)

  1. hard to understand or figure out
  2. being cramped

Cramp (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a painful sudden tightening of a muscle

    "I was suddenly awakened by a cramp in my leg"

    similar: charley horse, crick, kink, spasm
    related: contraction, jerk, pang, stitch, twinge, twitch

  2. something that makes movement or progress difficult

    "an antismoking ordinance that was seen as just another cramp on business by bar owners"

    similar: 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
    related: catch, hitch, rub, snag, barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall, arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, hobble, rein, restraint, embargo, stoppage, delay, holdup, stall, burden, cumber, load, danger, hazard, peril, reef, adversity, difficulty, disadvantage, drawback, hardship
    near: catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus, advantage, break, edge, aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden, help

Cramp (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to create difficulty for the work or activity of

    "having to constantly entertain guests at the summer cottage was really cramping my writing efforts"

    similar: 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, cramp one's style, give a hard time
    related: balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain, bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie, arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard, barricade, block, blockade, roadblock, bog (down), mire, choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate, baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart, derail, disrupt, sabotage, muzzle, repress, suppress, confine, hedge (in), hem (in)
    opposite: aid, assist, facilitate, help
    near: clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop, free, liberate, release, untie, loosen, smooth, encourage, further, promote

Related Entry: Cramp one's style (phrase)

Cramp one's style is a different word from Cramp. The synonyms below are for cramp one's style, not for cramp.

  1. to create difficulty for the work or activity of

    "His little brother was always cramping his style when he wanted to hang out with his friends."

    similar: clog, cramp, 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, give a hard time
    related: balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain, bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie, arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard, barricade, block, blockade, roadblock, bog (down), mire, choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate, baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart, derail, disrupt, sabotage, muzzle, repress, suppress, confine, hedge (in), hem (in)
    opposite: aid, assist, facilitate, help
    near: clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop, free, liberate, release, untie, loosen, smooth, encourage, further, promote

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cramp

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cramp:

charley horse, crick, kink, spasm, 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, embarrass, encumber, hamper, handcuff, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Cramp

Words with the opposite meaning of Cramp:

aid, assist, facilitate, help

Related Words for Cramp

contraction, jerk, pang, stitch, twinge, twitch, catch, hitch, rub, snag, barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall, arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, rein, restraint, embargo, stoppage, delay, holdup, stall, burden, cumber

Near Antonyms of Cramp

catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus, advantage, break, edge, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden, clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop, free, liberate, release, untie, loosen, smooth, encourage, further, promote

Word Forms of Cramp

Inflections: cramped, cramping, cramps

Derived words: crampy (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Cramp

Middle English crampe, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch crampe; akin to Old High German krampf bent

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Cramp

brain cramp, writer's cramp

Frequently Asked Questions about Cramp

What does "Cramp" mean?

"Cramp" means a painful involuntary spasmodic contraction of a muscle. As an a noun, a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: a painful involuntary spasmodic contraction of a muscle. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cramp"?

Other words for "Cramp" include charley horse, crick, kink, spasm, balk, bar, block and chain. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cramp" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cramp"?

There are 121 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cramp". Common alternatives include charley horse, crick, kink, spasm, balk, bar, block, chain, clog and crimp.

What is the opposite of "Cramp"?

Antonyms of "Cramp" include aid, assist, facilitate and help. Near antonyms include catalyst, goad, impetus and incentive.

How do you use "Cramp" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cramp" in a sentence: "I was suddenly awakened by a cramp in my leg"; "an antismoking ordinance that was seen as just another cramp on business by bar owners"; "having to constantly entertain guests at the summer cottage was really cramping my writing efforts".

Is "Cramp" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cramp" can be used as a noun, a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Cramp"?

"Cramp" is pronounced /ˈkramp/.

What is the origin of the word "Cramp"?

"Cramp" comes from Middle English crampe, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch crampe; akin to Old High German krampf bent. First known use: 14th century.