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
Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
And everything’s not exactly rosy in the core business, which still is dealing with a cracked, state-by-state regulatory environment.
—Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Perform a visual inspection Look for cracked or frayed cables or other obvious signs of damage.
—Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for cracked
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Adjective
There are black-and-white scenes from what appears to be a cracked Biblical drama featuring a levitating monk and, to the particular bafflement of the producer, a dancing Pulcinella.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
And everything’s not exactly rosy in the core business, which still is dealing with a cracked, state-by-state regulatory environment.
—Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Perform a visual inspection Look for cracked or frayed cables or other obvious signs of damage.
—Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for cracked
Cite this Entry
“Cracked.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cracked. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cracked
adjective1
: broken into coarse pieces
cracked corn
2
informal
: not mentally sound
—used disparagingly
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