crack 1 of 3

verb

ˈkrak How to pronounce crack (audio)
Definition of cracknext
1
as in to pop
to break suddenly with an explosive sound the tree branch unexpectedly cracked under our weight

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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3
as in bang
a loud explosive sound the tree fell with a sharp crack

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4
as in attempt
an effort to do or accomplish something this is my first crack at painting

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5
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter a whispered crack made the whole back row start laughing

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6
as in nut
a person of odd or whimsical habits that conspiracy theorist has been labeled a crack by the ballistics experts

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crack

3 of 3

adjective

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

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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
With guests that range from Jennifer Lopez and Ethan Hawke to Rahma’s New Yorker friends who have yet to crack the mainstream, the show illustrates how strong opinions and a willingness to defend them are universal human traits. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026 The two quickly became friends, spending the next two years cracking jokes at each other’s expense. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
As the coconut milk breaks and separates (cracks), look for traces of yellow-green oil bubbling at the edge or a slightly dark yellow-green oily film on top. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026 Scan Pieces for Flaws Hairline cracks, cloudiness, and chips are unfortunately common in glassware, so check every surface for signs of damage. — Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack
  1. pop
  2. choke
  3. decipher
  4. knock
  5. solve
  6. bother
  7. fissure
  8. blow
Verb
  • Al-Emad and Andrijasevic have gone live with NLE Choppa, while Andrijasevic appeared alongside the rapper in a Marc Jacobs campaign and, more recently, popped up in a Lil Uzi Vert music video.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026
  • An isolated shower or thunderstorm could pop up, especially north of Philadelphia, but the vast majority of us stay dry.
    — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of pop
Verb
  • After multiple attempts to stave off its death over the decades, it is being choked by the chains and cables meant to support it.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Their findings prompted bans on phosphorus-laden detergents that were supercharging algae blooms choking the Great Lakes.
    — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of choke
Verb
  • When a product is recalled, a human being — an inspector, a store associate or a customer — needs to decipher the bin and lot number to determine whether a product is safe or dangerous.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Western San Gabriel Mountains/Highway 14 Corridor When an air quality alert pops up on the radar, deciphering its implications is crucial.
    — Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 30 July 2026
Definition of decipher
Verb
  • Brands such as Fendi, Pandora, Lush, and Glossier soon came knocking.
    — Kati Chitrakorn, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026
  • His co-worker, Donna DuBray, was part of the group and saw Carbullido fall off, briefly knocking him out.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of knock
Verb
  • Forensic investigative genetic genealogy has helped police solve long-term unidentified cold cases.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The technology remains at an early stage, however, and its long-term viability will depend on whether companies can solve the economic, technical and logistical challenges of operating and maintaining thousands of satellites in space.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of solve
Verb
  • Right-handed reliever Joel Peguero (left hamstring strain) will be shut down for the rest of the year due to a recurring hamstring strain that’s bothered him since spring training.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • McGarey’s son told his mom not to bother sending packages because people weren’t receiving them.
    — Chris Quintana, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of bother
Noun
  • The model also accounts for major geologic faults because the bedrock layer in those areas is more likely to have cracks and fissures, according to Campbell.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The pitched and often emotional vote over Proposition 40 exposed deep fissures in the state party over how to respond to growing grassroots anger over wealth inequality.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of fissure
Noun
  • Ferran Torres Torres was not the first-choice striker for Spain at the World Cup, but that did not stop him from landing the decisive blow after his team-mates had spent 106 minutes dominating Argentina without a breakthrough.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • But the federal agency that has required companies to collect and report demographic workforce data since 1966 is now working to end that practice, a move some critics say would be a huge blow to civil rights enforcement.
    — Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow

Phrases Containing crack

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crabwise
crack
crackbrain
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Cite this Entry

“Crack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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