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
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 up
Wondering if the talk about using eggshells in your garden is all it's cracked up to be?
—
Lauren David, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Is tofu all it's cracked up to be?
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 26 Mar. 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
Lauren David, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Is tofu all it's cracked up to be?
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 26 Mar. 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
-
Mayor Dean Trantalis applauded that move.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
The two embraced again as the audience applauded.—
Daniel S. Levine,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The Bills-Lions game was just one of the matchups announced Monday ahead of the NFL’s full schedule release on Thursday.—
Amos Morale III,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
Only two other finalists had been announced as of Monday, one from Nassau County and the other from Walton County.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
While following the teen, Schuman fell off his bicycle, and the boy laughed at him, according to the affidavit.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
-
Bulloch replied as the two laughed.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Other commenters praised Shepard for genuinely prioritizing Bell's desires on the holiday.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
Postecoglou memorably praised them after Bergvall scored in Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of last season’s Carabao Cup semi-final.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Twenty years after his death, Thirsk remains both an ordinary Yorkshire town (the only Herriot memorabilia advertised is in the museum gift shop) and an enduring tourist destination.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
Creditor hardship programs Most major credit card issuers and lenders have internal hardship programs in place for borrowers who need help, but they aren't widely advertised.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Aaron Boone, meanwhile, giggled over the way Sterling reacted to getting hit by a foul ball in the booth in 2023.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
Holmgren merely giggled as Brooks chucked the ball past him.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His hire in Atlanta was hailed as a savvy move.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
-
Parsons was a 63-year-old former Naval officer who hailed from Tillicoultry, in Clackmannanshire, Scotland.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
Why the Nike Tech trend blew up Earlier this year, Nike Tech fleeces, jackets, pants and sweatsuits sparked cultural commentary with a viral social media trend that inspired young men to trade the casual style for preppy quarter-zip sweaters.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Warren has some experience with covering over the past as happened when her phony claim of being a blue-eyed Native American Cherokee descendent blew up.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracked up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracked%20up. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
