[en] Results of DC magnetization and x-ray diffraction measurements under hydrostatic pressure are reported for the CdCr₂S₄ spinel compound. Magnetization measurements were performed in a polycrystalline sample up to 14 kbar in the 20–220 K temperature range. At low applied magnetic fields an anomalous susceptibility behavior, associated to magnetic clusters, persists up to 14 kbar. X-ray synchrotron diffraction spectra acquired under pressure show a strong linear correlation between the variation of lattice parameters under pressure and the variation of the Cr–Cr distance. In contrast, the S-Cr-S angles remain constant. Clearly, the CdCr₂S₄ magnetic properties are strongly sensitive to pressure variations and the Cr local distortions observed in this compound promote a competition between direct antiferromagnetic and super-exchange ferromagnetic interactions within such short-range magnetic clusters. - Highlights: • New insights of the short-range magnetic clusters nature. • Pressure tuning of cluster formation. • Increase of AFM interactions under hydrostatic pressure. • It is proposed that the observed effect is ruled by the Cr-Cr direct interactions.