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
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
Research partners recorded the various sounds that drones make when their propellers get chipped or cracked or their motor becomes damaged or begins to fail. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026 A couple large plastic food storage tubs have cracked corners. — Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cracked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracked
Adjective
  • In our era of No Kings rallies, the contemporary political relevance of a mad ruler demanding public displays of fealty is so obvious that Prikryl doesn’t need to press the point very hard.
    — Langdon Hammer, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Heather may or may not be mad that Tamra took selfies with Jenn and not with her.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Linebacker D’Marco Jackson popped up on Thursday’s injury report with an ankle injury.
    — Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Swastikas popped up near a polling place in Orlando’s Orange County.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Hard-right politics came to feel like a weed that had choked every other kind of political expression.
    — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The woman denied the allegations, and Ross hit her in the chest several times and choked her, the report says, restricting her breathing by twisting the collar of her hoodie.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But a more apt comparison might be the Mirabilia Urbis Romae, in which Medieval scholars deciphered the staggering ruins of Classical Rome.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Zaina Alsous, the political lead for Unite Here, said her members knocked on 50,000 doors in support of Rodriguez.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Law enforcement knocked on residents' doors the night before, asking questions about the dumpster, according to people who live on the block.
    — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • An 18-year-old mathematical problem concerning the limits of quantum computing may finally have been solved in just three days.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • JonBenét’s older half-brother, John Andrew Ramsey, said investigators must have courage and act aggressively to get the case solved as soon as possible.
    — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Caruso is particularly disturbed about her intent to fire LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
  • An officer responded to PSA, and police said about two pallets of cards were stolen from the truck and a third was disturbed.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Simonoff said police have been in contact with Jones' mother in Oregon, who told them her son is psychotic and needs medication.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Defense attorney Juan Mourin argued that Davis suffered a psychotic episode.
    — Anna McAllister, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Cracked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracked. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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