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
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
-
Parry applauded the decision by Deputy Judge Sarah Clarke to dismiss Mitch Winehouse's claim that the two were not entitled to sell the items and did so without his knowledge.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Chevron, on the other hand, applauded the Supreme Court’s decision, saying the claims are related to work that the companies did under federal supervision.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Buckingham Palace announced Sunday that the visit would proceed as previously planned.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The rookie award was the sixth to be announced by the NBA since the end of the regular season.—
Schuyler Dixon,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the crowd laughed and Ross blew a kiss in Kraft’s direction, Brady could be seen shifting in his seat behind and to the right of the comedian.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Schuman fell off his bike at one point, and the boy laughed at him.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In his post-match press conference, Arteta praised the courage of his players to play short, even after the Emirates crowd weren’t pleased with how that first move failed.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The outlet praised a few heartier combinations, such as the Steakhouse Salad Stuffer, but argued against the value.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The project was advertised for construction in January, and six construction bids were received in February.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The Miami Dolphins have advertised themselves as an equal opportunity team, a meritocracy, so to speak.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Holmgren merely giggled as Brooks chucked the ball past him.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
When the officer began to dance, the women screamed and giggled.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Yet if Charlie Baker walked into that convention hall on Saturday, he no doubt would be hailed as a hero.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Both leaders hailed the agreement as an example for other EU partners to follow and boost the 27-member bloc’s competitiveness.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That story blew up the baseball world for a little while, with questions raised about your reputation as a teammate and clubhouse presence.—
Annie Heilbrunn,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The short sentiment blew up in 2025 when West Ada School District leaders told a teacher to take down her sign emblazoned with those words, ahead of the Legislature’s passage of a bill barring religious, political and ideological flags or banners in public schools.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracked up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracked%20up. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
