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
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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
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4
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 eccentric
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to race
to proceed or move quickly
the postman cracked on in an effort to get the mail delivered on time
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of crack
Rachel Desantis, People.com, 19 May 2025
Mike Schmidt cracked his second home run in the top of the 10th to win it 23-22.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Kevin Clark reportedly said the wall had a crack where a window was, which detectives believe Patrick’s head landed on.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack
Verb
It was featured on her 1962 album Connie Francis Sings Second Hand Love & Other Hits, but didn’t make much of a splash at the time; the record failed to crack the Top 100 on the Billboard Top LPs chart.
—Rachel Desantis, People.com, 19 May 2025
Mike Schmidt cracked his second home run in the top of the 10th to win it 23-22.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
Noun
Two times was plenty; Gillis doesn’t need a third crack at this.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Kevin Clark reportedly said the wall had a crack where a window was, which detectives believe Patrick’s head landed on.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack
Noun
-
That’s still true in the fully postindustrial parts of the city, though in a way that bespeaks new fissures.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
21 May 2025
-
Volcanic eruptions typically occur when magma below a volcano surges into subsurface pockets called magma chambers, then escapes to the surface through vents and fissures.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
5 May 2025
Noun
-
In the rear of an IndyCar vehicle is a safety device called an attenuator, designed to cushion the blow from a rear impact into the wall.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
The lawyers claim the measure signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis this month has already dealt significant blows to campaigns to expand Medicaid and legalize recreational marijuana in the state.—
Kate Payne,
Sun Sentinel,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
As for her hair, the 57-year-old actor served real Marilyn Monroe energy, styling her hair in a bouncy bob with her micro bangs swept away from her face.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
22 May 2025
-
Those are the brands that can give you the best bang for your buck.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
His attempt to turn the briefing into a public-relations coup—and to trade on his reputation as a deft negotiator has collapsed.—
Sizwe Mpofu Walsh,
Time,
23 May 2025
-
An attempt to streamline that story line would render Elden Ring not unlike Game of Thrones: a dark, twisted fantasy narrative where death rules over all.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Think light beer, string lights, pizza, a cake with a callback to a joke from the show on it.—
Kelly Stout,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2025
-
Here’s why and what happened CT proposal noted halfway across globe and becomes butt of jokes.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
But the settlers’ belief in the value of public goods and embrace of independent thinkers remain woven into the character of the city, which continues to attract artists, eccentrics and writers.—
Isabelle Taft,
New York Times,
4 May 2025
-
Robert Redford delivers folksy wisdom as a local eccentric who once had his own dragon encounter, and even Karl Urban’s greedy logger is more of a nuisance than an outright villain.—
Josh Bell,
Vulture,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Deploying this type of technology at scale could not only help identify at-risk patients for proactive monitoring but also address the global need for medical professionals, with the U.S. alone requiring 122,000 skilled physicians by 2032.—
Max Votek,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
The presence of someone skilled, experienced and committed to public service could strengthen the agency, at a time when the federal work force faces unprecedented strain.—
Kwame Anthony Appiah,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
The vacuum also comes with a crevice tool to target curtains, upholstery, and more.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
22 May 2025
-
These included an extension wand and crevice tool, wide standard head, smaller upholstery tool, dusting brush, battery, charger, and mount.—
Stewart Savin,
Architectural Digest,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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