cracked 1 of 2

Definition of crackednext
informal + disparaging

cracked

2 of 2

verb

past tense of crack
1
as in popped
to break suddenly with an explosive sound the tree branch unexpectedly cracked under our weight

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in choked
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 deciphered
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

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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 cracked
Adjective
That craft, without a three-person crew aboard, was filled with space food, medical supplies, fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as devices for treating the cracked window on the Shenzhou-20 spaceship. Leonard David, Space.com, 24 Feb. 2026 Check for cracked or charred wires, as well as burn marks or holes on the blanket, says Evan Jones, representative from Electrical Safety Foundation International. Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
What the Viral Videos Actually Show Some of the viral TikTok videos show eggs coming out of freezers visibly cracked before being sliced and cooked — the exact scenario the FDA warns against. Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026 Conan O’Brien cracked some jokes about Netflix at the Oscars. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cracked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracked
Adjective
  • In the annals of English football, this shoots close to the top of the list of ridiculous moments, along with Troy Deeney’s mad goal for Watford in the Championship play-offs in 2013 and Sergio Aguero’s Premier League title-winning strike for Manchester City in 2012.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Here's our list of the five best space prison movies (in no particular order, don't get mad at the numbers).
    Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2026
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
  • After meeting, Todt popped the question a month later on July 26, 2004.
    Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Given a chance to step on Minnesota’s throat, the Nuggets choked.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Oil prices are likely to remain well above their levels prior to the Iran war, the consequences of which have choked global supply for the foreseeable future.
    Mike Sheen, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The researchers then deciphered certain traits that were linked to the habit.
    Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Kinsella was excited for Yates’ voice to be an easter egg—one of many voices to be deciphered by fans among a scream-singing chorus.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That opportunity knocked Monday for Baxley.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Utah retook the lead not even two minutes later when Hart found himself out of position and Vegas defenseman Kaeden Korczak knocked the puck into his own net, though it was officially credited to Kevin Stenlund.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The question Price solved—or prompted ChatGPT to solve—concerns special sets of whole numbers, where no number in the set can be evenly divided by any other.
    Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Those two things need to be solved together or they won’t be solved, and the clock is ticking rapidly.
    Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • When disturbed — by waves, predators or even a curious beachgoer’s touch — the organism emits a blue-green glow.
    Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Courts also accord high deference to arbitration decisions and require extraordinary findings to vacate an arbitration award, meaning arbitration decisions are normally not disturbed or challenged.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Netflix’s bracingly nasty action-thriller Apex is a fine addition, plonking the star down in a rugged Australian landscape and throwing nature’s formidable might at her while stirring a psychotic serial killer into the mix.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The risk of a psychotic disorder rose fourfold when highly potent weed was used daily, the study found.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Cracked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracked. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

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