cracking 1 of 3

cracking

2 of 3

adverb

cracking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of crack
1
as in popping
to break suddenly with an explosive sound the tree branch unexpectedly cracked under our weight

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in choking
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 deciphering
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
5
6

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 cracking
Adjective
Another uninspired performance coupled with a a heavy defeat may well spell the end for the Basque manager at the Emirates, so this fixture should have plenty of undertones and be a cracking game of football. SI.com, 28 Oct. 2019 This is shaping up to be a cracking game at Old Trafford that United will probably edge. SI.com, 6 Aug. 2019 His fortunes finally turned back Wednesday, when van Garderen laid down a cracking time trial at the Tour of California. sacbee, 16 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracking
Adjective
  • There are many excellent CRM platforms that are available at a much lower price point and that can serve the needs of most small and mid-sized businesses.
    Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • This would not have been possible without tireless work from our excellent lawyers @TheJusticeDept and our Solicitor General John Sauer.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Adverb
  • Her long, dark hair was messily waved, hanging past her shoulders like a shawl, while her eyebrows were shaved extremely thin, leaving little room for any expression other than a sly smile.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
  • While both the House and Senate bills proposed language that was extremely harmful to the pass-through entity community, the final Senate bill passed made significant modifications that will encourage continued investments via pass through entities.
    Lynn Mucenski Keck, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Get ready to see more video content popping up in search results.
    William Arruda, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • South Florida healthcare expands into neighborhoods While Doral has seen an explosion of healthcare growth, medical centers, outpatient, urgent care and standalone emergency rooms are also popping up across South Florida as hospitals compete for patients.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • He was inspired to learn after watching a teacher use the method to help another student who was choking.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Quick thinking by a 9-year-old boy in North Carolina helped save his friend who started choking at recess.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Both retail and institutional interest led to holistic industry growth in 2024, driving new use cases and solving for real-world problems.
    Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Is your brand focused on sustainability, inclusivity or solving specific skin concerns?
    Lara Devgan, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Jan. 2025
  • The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • That could mean even greater affordability for smaller businesses adopting AI for their businesses.
    Bernice Ooi, CNBC, 26 June 2025
  • That was the name of one of my great friends growing up in Brooklyn.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 25 June 2025
Adverb
  • Embarking on the journey of franchising a business can be a very daunting step, but taking time to identify a franchising style that works for you and your business and to build a model that is authentic to you should make that journey a much easier one.
    Fiona Simpson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Don’t overdo it; a very small amount of concealer is more than enough.
    Laura Solla, Vogue, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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