1
a
: broken (as by a sharp blow) so that the surface is fissured
cracked china
b
: broken into coarse particles
cracked wheat
c
: marked by harshness, dissonance, or failure to sustain a tone
a cracked voice
2
informal + disparaging
: marked by thought or action that lacks reason
cracked
2 of 2past tense and past participle of crack entry 1
Examples of cracked in a Sentence
Adjective
The vase is cracked but it can still hold water.
the cracked leather of the old chair
His hands were sore and cracked from working long hours in the cold.
Her lips are dried and cracked.
Recent Examples on the Web
Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2023
In recent years, several stretches of the aqueduct system have been drained to allow replacement of cracked and bulging sections of century-old concrete.
—Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2023
The urban landscape, with its cracked sidewalks, patchy transit, and the lurking possibility of violence, is a daily challenge.
—Robert Weisman, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Mar. 2023
Add to that some dry, cracked cuticles?
—Daley Quinn, Women's Health, 27 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for cracked
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.
Adjective
Galls can begin semisoft but harden with a cracked surface over time, though plants won’t necessarily display symptoms the same season or year they were infected.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2023
In recent years, several stretches of the aqueduct system have been drained to allow replacement of cracked and bulging sections of century-old concrete.
—Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2023
The urban landscape, with its cracked sidewalks, patchy transit, and the lurking possibility of violence, is a daily challenge.
—Robert Weisman, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Mar. 2023
Add to that some dry, cracked cuticles?
—Daley Quinn, Women's Health, 27 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for cracked
Cite this Entry
“Cracked.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cracked. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cracked
adjective1
: broken into coarse pieces
cracked corn
2
informal
: not mentally sound
—used disparagingly
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share