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
-
Different types of circles with different patterns pop up on the headset.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
How did the ghostly choir samples of Philly drill pop up in Stockton goon music?—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Pets, especially young ones, enjoy exploring new objects by tasting them, which can pose choking and electrocution hazards.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Earlier in the night, the pair had gotten into a fight, with Sally saying in the docuseries that Ray hit her and then choked her.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
This season, with a full deck of defensive backs — including rookies Will Lee and Zakee Wheatley — Evero will decipher his best secondary combinations.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 May 2026
-
Immigration experts who were trying to decipher the news said the memo was more nuanced, leading to confusion over what the change actually entailed.—
Rebecca Santana,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
In March, Tyler entered a guilty plea, which knocked his first-degree rape charge down to third-degree.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
-
On Tuesday, the Red Sox had base runners in every inning against Jays starter Dylan Cease, knocking him out after five innings and 108 pitches.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
17 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
-
Making a neurological diagnosis feels like solving a mystery, and the diseases typically leave a trace.—
Adeline Goss,
New Yorker,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
This storyline bothered Wilson, who in 2024 earned her third WNBA MVP award and her second Olympic gold medal in Paris, where she was named tournament MVP.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Díaz joins a Dodgers bullpen that includes left-hander Tanner Scott, who was bothered by elbow inflammation in his first season after signing a $72 million, four-year contract.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
McGovern said Sunday that air monitoring has shown the possible fissure has not led to the release of toxic air.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
The rookie took a deep breath, settled into his stance and watched as Houston’s pitcher, Enyel De Los Santos, attempted to deliver the final blow.—
Latif Love
June 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
-
Star third baseman José Ramírez broke a bone in his left hand on a swing Saturday and will be sidelined for an indefinite period, a massive blow to the two-time defending AL Central champions.—
Tom Withers,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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