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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6

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
Late Saturday, the crews entered the facility to make a visual examination of the cracked container, which officials believed was holding 7,000 liquid gallons of methyl methacrylate, a chemical that is routinely used to make plastic. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026 As Jacobs described Lacan’s theory that babies initially form a cohesive I upon seeing their reflection, images of babies looking into cracked mirrors appeared on the screen. — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 19 May 2026
Verb
Musetti cracked the world’s top five earlier this year, but has been hampered by injuries since. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 The futures price for Brent crude — the international benchmark for oil — cracked the $100-per-barrel mark on Wednesday as tensions escalated. — Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cracked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracked
Adjective
  • When the Farmer destroys the flock’s beloved pumpkin patch, Shaun turns mad scientist to fix the problem, only for events to spiral out of control as a wild beast roams the woods of Mossingham.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The show, which stars Jessica Chastain as an investigator who infiltrates online hate groups to prevent incidents of mad violence.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Shortly before the final out was recorded Thursday, Royals legend George Brett popped into the White Sox suite.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Much has popped up along Meridian Road — technically a state highway under the purview of the Idaho Transportation Department.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Wartime attacks on cargo vessels in the Black Sea have choked that supply route.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • However, wartime attacks on cargo vessels in the Black Sea have choked that supply route, raising fears of shortages.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Re-creating the Herculaneum scrolls To date, one entire scroll and passages from others have been deciphered, largely thanks to the Vesuvius Challenge, a project launched in 2023 that encourages researchers to decode scrolls for cash prizes.
    — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Uncertainty notwithstanding, the longevity world has glommed onto the notion that the vaginal microbiome is some kind of exotic tealeaf that can be deciphered—and perfected by purchasing the right supplements.
    — Sarah DiGregorio, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • On a recent weekend in Lee's district about 50 days before the election, members from the Culinary Union, the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations knocked on voters' doors, hoping to sway those still undecided.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • In the fifth round, the champion landed a powerful right-hand punch that knocked Pantoja down.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Home-server owners will already understand the attraction, and the pro’s solved this ages ago but spent a lot more than this.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2026
  • His problems were tough and solved dangerously, if conveniently, as required by producer-writer Bruce Geller’s teleplay.
    — Ed Olmstead, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Clean Regularly Spiders don’t like to be disturbed, so an unused area of your porch is likely to be attractive real estate.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Yellow jackets are often the most aggressive, especially when scavenging for food or if their ground nests are disturbed.
    — Nick Perry, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • After she was sent back to Los Angeles, Leigh suffered a psychotic break.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Both women’s attorneys have claimed their clients suffered from psychotic episodes.
    — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Cracked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracked. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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