1
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
as in to knock
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
cracked the bow of the ship with a champagne bottle
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning
I've been mulling this riddle, but I just can't crack it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
a disciplinary crack on the hand with a ruler was once common in schoolrooms
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in bang
a loud explosive sound
the tree fell with a sharp crack
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
a whispered crack made the whole back row start laughing
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in nut
a person of odd or whimsical habits
that conspiracy theorist has been labeled a crack by the ballistics experts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in skilled
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
known as one of the college's crack tennis players
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of crack
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Even Cartwright cracked a smile.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026
Well, how did this get through the cracks?
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack
Verb
After cracking a filling while eating, his wife began researching local dental offices, focusing on clinics with strong reviews from foreign patients and a reputation for quality care.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Even Cartwright cracked a smile.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Noun
The information going in, and the appeals coming out, are where the cracks show.
—Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026
Well, how did this get through the cracks?
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack
Verb
-
Contreras popped out on Bryan Baker’s first pitch.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
-
Ticket prices, however, aren’t the only eye-popping numbers FIFA is putting up.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Green Bay then choked away a 21-3 halftime lead and a 21-6 advantage after three quarters in an eventual 31-27 loss to Chicago in the Wild Card round.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Police in the northwest Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights have released a sketch of a man accused of attacking and choking a woman this past weekend.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
An education tent will provide free education and resources regarding topics from deciphering Title IX to end-of-life care and self-advocacy.—
Sophie Lindberg,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
-
Armed with an adventure kit, participants are summoned to a secret location where they’re tasked with deciphering cryptic codes, uncovering hidden symbols, navigating shifting alliances and outwit enemies and operatives stationed around the campus.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
After knocking England out of the 2018 World Cup, for example, Croatia’s players were keen to throw that line back in their face afterwards.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Addressing reporters for the first time since The Associated Press projected a November runoff between her and Mayor Karen Bass, Raman said residents are losing faith in the city’s ability to solve even basic problems and are demanding a different approach.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
-
Ferveret, a startup from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is using cooling technology deployed in nuclear reactors to solve challenges faced by data centers today.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
People can decide for themselves whether Wembanyama’s anthem conduct bothers them.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
-
But at the same time, the people that are bothering me are showing us love.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Some of these fissures are healing, but the relationship between Wilson and the organization, including key former teammates, is not helping his candidacy.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
Seismic images of mid-ocean ridges typically show rough and jagged terrain, formed when lava oozes up into the cold ocean along faults or fissures and hardens suddenly into stone.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
The injury to Flaherty is another blow to the Tigers, who have been dealing with injuries to their roster all season.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
That was the final blow for the Royals.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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