as in excellent
of the very best kind
a writer renowned for her cracking tales of mystery and suspense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in extremely
to a great degree
tells a cracking good tale of a search for a lost city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in knocking
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
cracked the bow of the ship with a champagne bottle
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in solving
to find an answer for through reasoning
I've been mulling this riddle, but I just can't crack it
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in bothering
to cause to go insane or as if insane
cracked by years in solitary confinement, the prisoner could only maunder incoherently
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 cracking
SI.com, 28 Oct. 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
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Finally, place the eggs in an ice bath to completely cool before cracking, peeling and eating.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
This leads him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
In the scene, Kenia bumps her foot into a floor lamp, cracking her pedicure nail, and forcing a medic to rip the nail off and wrap the toe in gauze.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
If your employees are cracking, your leadership already has.
—Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Amacon alleged that the removals led to cracking in the level beneath one of the towers' upper floors, roughly 400 feet above the city's core.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Looking forward to cracking open another Alamo with Hank and company?
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 26 Aug. 2025
Pouring water on a hot grill can cause warping or cracking in ceramic or cast iron.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025
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
His fortunes finally turned back Wednesday, when van Garderen laid down a cracking time trial at the Tour of California.
—sacbee, 16 May 2018
Verb
So, while teammates are cracking jokes at one another, Kelce and Mahomes know work needs to be done on Friday night to ensure a 1-0 start to the season against a formidable opponent.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Finally, place the eggs in an ice bath to completely cool before cracking, peeling and eating.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
This leads him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
In the scene, Kenia bumps her foot into a floor lamp, cracking her pedicure nail, and forcing a medic to rip the nail off and wrap the toe in gauze.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
If your employees are cracking, your leadership already has.
—Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Amacon alleged that the removals led to cracking in the level beneath one of the towers' upper floors, roughly 400 feet above the city's core.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Looking forward to cracking open another Alamo with Hank and company?
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 26 Aug. 2025
Pouring water on a hot grill can cause warping or cracking in ceramic or cast iron.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracking
Adjective
-
But on a day when Mizzou amassed 595 total yards, converted 4 of 5 fourth downs and got an excellent effort from first-year starting quarterback Beau Pribula, surrendering possession had to fill Kansas followers with a sense of dread.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The openings can keep your feet cool or give you an excellent way to show off some eye-catching socks once the weather get cooler.—
Isis Briones,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Lisa, 28, wore a black maxi dress with cutouts, and paired the look with an extremely rare Hermès Birkin while in South Korea's capital city.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Thomas dove in and swam with Malibu, popping up simultaneously from the water and resting their extremities — his arms, her fins — on the edge of the pool.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Watch parties of dubious legality for this weekend’s finale are popping up at bars around America, but think how much revenue could be captured if someone was able to charge us to watch this.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Eating dry chia seeds without a liquid may increase the risk of choking.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Jaworski was arrested May 22 in connection with holding a woman down and choking her March 24, police said.—
Dennis Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
For families deciphering what’s necessary and what to skip in a skin regimen, building a healthy routine for kids can be easy to manage.—
Khanh T.L. Tran,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
-
To make deciphering all these invites a little easier, here’s what to know about formal attire.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Roughly 89 hours after landing in Buffalo, there Prater was knocking the game-winning, walk-off 32-yard field goal through the uprights to beat the Baltimore Ravens 41-40 in what could be the NFL’s game of the year.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Fall is officially knocking at our doors, which means last month’s linen sets and sandals just won’t cut it.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But the meeting soon became a critical venue for surfacing and solving problems and, where possible, removing barriers.—
Nelson P. Repenning,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Each episode will offer unprecedented access into the step-by-step process of solving a murder case, from the first clue to the decisive moment that changes everything.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
So, at least for now, Chamorro is not bothering with the official Pop Mart drops.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
-
While there is still hope that Clark can return this season from the groin injury that has been bothering her, there is no guarantee of that becoming a reality.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share