crack 1 of 3

Definition of cracknext
1
as in to pop
to break suddenly with an explosive sound the tree branch unexpectedly cracked under our weight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to choke
to yield to mental or emotional stress after hours of tough questioning the suspect finally cracked and blurted out a confession

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to decipher
to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language the United States military used the Navajo language as a code during World War II, and the enemy never cracked it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5
6
as in to bother
to cause to go insane or as if insane cracked by years in solitary confinement, the prisoner could only maunder incoherently

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crack

2 of 3

noun

1
as in fissure
an irregular usually narrow break in a surface created by pressure a pebble struck the car's windshield and left a spidery crack in it

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
4
5
6

crack

3 of 3

adjective

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of crack
Verb
But the dream is starting to crack. Michael Jacobides, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026 When Kennedy spreads fear, parents become fearful and often refuse vaccines, and herd immunity begins to crack. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Then there was the fact that despite their size, the windows only opened a tiny crack, making a decent breeze nearly impossible. Clio Chang, Curbed, 21 Apr. 2026 Everything said, the biggest news coming out of this story is that this car is, in fact, street-legal … and the fact that Ford has opened an application window for those who might want a crack at the Nürburgring record-breaker. New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack
Verb
  • The debate is playing out in Wyoming, a state where many data centers have popped up, including new plans for Microsoft to purchase 3,200 acres of land to expand its data center footprint.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Cabo Cabo is popping with new and renovated hotels, further bolstering its front-row positioning as a Hollywood travel mainstay.
    Carole Dixon, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The younger girl was able to escape and get help as Gaff began choking her sister with the electrical cord.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The pledges had to fight him, almost choke him out.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In corporate news, luxury conglomerate and industry bellwether LVMH reported quarterly sales that missed expectations on Monday as the sector begins to decipher the fallout from the war in the Middle East and its impact on stocks.
    Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
  • The researchers then deciphered certain traits that were linked to the habit.
    Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The female actually knocks him down to the ground.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • High-profile Democrats urged people to call their friends and knock on doors.
    Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Broad, one-size-fits-all policies that burden high-quality providers will not solve this problem.
    Tom Koutsoumpas, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Legitimate companies do not walk you through withdrawing cash, using crypto ATMs or buying gold to solve a problem.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The administration doesn’t actually bother to project deficits and public debt over the next decade.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
  • In 2019, the band’s bassist and founding member, Steve Harris, told Rolling Stone the fact that the band wasn’t yet inducted at the time didn’t bother him.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Eyes on the primary runoff The Democratic race doesn't feature notable policy splits along the lines of the progressive-moderate fissures that have opened around the country.
    CBS News, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The ledges are broken by crevices and fissures, and loose rocks of all sizes lie on them and below them.
    Dr. C. E. Kuschel, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Sheehan managed to keep the Rockies from landing the big blow.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
  • The Senate’s quick passage of the 10-day patch was starkly different than the House’s rare overnight session, during which House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was dealt two consecutive blows.
    Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 17 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on crack

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster