cracked 1 of 2

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

4
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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
In recent years, several stretches of the aqueduct system have been drained to allow replacement of cracked and bulging sections of century-old concrete. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2023 The urban landscape, with its cracked sidewalks, patchy transit, and the lurking possibility of violence, is a daily challenge. Robert Weisman, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Mar. 2023
Verb
That's a hard balance to nail, but System Era Softworks has cracked it, crafting an enduring open-world space game that's welcoming first and foremost. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2025 On October 6th, the Aries Full Moon rises, bringing to culmination storylines that began back on March 29th, 2025, when the Aries Solar Eclipse cracked open new paths for us. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cracked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracked
Adjective
  • My real friends know what happened, but Kurt’s fans, Courtney’s fans, and some of my own fans were mad at me.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Maybe, probably, the States were also mad at her.
    Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Completely popped up, ready to go, ready to chat, all chipper.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The stock has popped 33% in 2025, outpacing the S & P 500′s 14% during that time.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Russell said into the microphone, her voice choked with regret, stumbling over each word.
    Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Jane testified during the trial that Combs once broke down four doors trying to get her and then choked, punched, and kicked her in a rage.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Many of which have yet to be deciphered.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
  • In total, 16 metrics were deciphered to rank each state under these dimensions, such as shares of children, teens and adults with different vaccinations, people without health insurance, and many others.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Hyatt attempted to separate from Ringo, and Ringo knocked Hyatt’s arm down.
    Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • With Jacksonville 1 yard from the end zone, Bolton alertly knocked the ball from the grasp of Trevor Lawrence as the Jaguars quarterback tried to stretch over the goal line on fourth down.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Her case has not been solved, though a tape unearthed in 2004 provided some possible assailants, and nothing involving Gein, who was cleared of any connection later in 1957.
    JR Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • In 2023, the baby daddy mystery was seemingly solved by Gilmore Girls costume supervisor Valeria Campbell.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But their peace is disturbed when a trio of white vampires descend upon the place, leading to a night of bloody violence.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Ed idolized Augusta and was disturbed that Henry, who often criticized and argued against her strict teachings, had much less admiration for her.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While docked in Florida, the troupe encounters trouble in the form of psychotic Twisty the Clown (John Carroll Lynch), a deranged murderer with a taste for sideshow carnage.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Together, O’Neill and Alicia navigate a rabbit hole of deranged folk singers, psychotic cops, boxing promoters, line dancing enthusiasts, and worst of all, podcasters, the truth blurs, bodies stack, and the nature of their search comes into question.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Cracked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracked. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

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