1
as in applauded
to declare enthusiastic approval of
that sports car isn't all it's cracked up to be
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in announced
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively
the movie is being cracked up as the blockbuster of the summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in laughed
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
try not to crack up at your own punch lines—it's funnier if you keep a straight face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cracked up
Is tofu all it's cracked up to be?
—
Sam Woodward, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Here, Lauren Houser, vice president of marketing at cleaning solutions company Zep in Atlanta, Georgia, highlights six common hacks that really aren't all they're cracked up to be.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
Leslie Jones once cracked up everyone at Saturday Night Live, including the top dog of the show.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
One room cracked up at a vulgar joke about a woman’s behind, while another went for an outrageous and surreal midfilm montage — but each bit was made genuinely funnier by the dozens of people gasping and wheezing over it.
—Robert Rubsam, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Original castmembers Richard Kline and Priscilla Barnes also cracked up the crowd, reprising their roles as nurse Teri and lovable lech Larry.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Sam Woodward, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Here, Lauren Houser, vice president of marketing at cleaning solutions company Zep in Atlanta, Georgia, highlights six common hacks that really aren't all they're cracked up to be.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
Leslie Jones once cracked up everyone at Saturday Night Live, including the top dog of the show.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
One room cracked up at a vulgar joke about a woman’s behind, while another went for an outrageous and surreal midfilm montage — but each bit was made genuinely funnier by the dozens of people gasping and wheezing over it.
—Robert Rubsam, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Original castmembers Richard Kline and Priscilla Barnes also cracked up the crowd, reprising their roles as nurse Teri and lovable lech Larry.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracked up
Verb
-
The United Center faithful applauded as the final horn sounded for the last time this season.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The show then cut to the present day, where the audience applauded Plaza, whose baby bump could be seen under her navy blue dress.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Philip Fong | Afp | Getty Images The Japanese government has announced plans to lift a ban on lethal weapons exports, marking the latest shift away from the country’s post-war pacifist policy.—
Sam Meredith,Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
-
In another, a mutual friend announced her pregnancy.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The second time, Lindor laughed as Ohtani blew a 99 mph fastball past him on his 11th and last pitch to end the third.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
How the audience laughed, the poet assures us.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Short has previously praised his Oscar-winning costar for her demeanor on set, sharing what might surprise fans most about working with her.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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The director praised the major American distributor at length while speaking alongside producing partner Emilie Lesclaux at this year’s Projeto Paradiso National Talent Network Meeting, held in their hometown of Recife.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But the deluge of hires has strained the agency, which promised signing bonuses of up to $50,000 and advertised that college degrees were not required.—
Ryan J. Foley,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
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Indeed, as advertised, Raye talks to the audience so much — and is so warm and hilarious — that her banter is a show in itself.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When the officer began to dance, the women screamed and giggled.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
-
After letting out a cathartic scream, Madigan giggled.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the decades after the war, Japanese Americans would be hailed as a model minority for their resilience and peaceful reintegration into American life.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Fillmore, a German shorthaired pointer, is being hailed a hero after his urgent barking woke his family during a garage fire at their home on Skyway Drive in Unincorporated Tustin, Orange County.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He got separated, then un-separated, then his wife gave birth during a car crash, then his wife blew up.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Nine Vicious blew up for a reason.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracked up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracked%20up. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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