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
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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
Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
During my sailing, the chefs did open-air barbecues on two nights, working with Big Green Egg grills on the top deck, grilling fresh Atlantic prawns and tender steaks, and also cracking open fresh oysters.
—Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
As those natural oils break down, the wood may become dry, dull, and more prone to cracking or staining.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Savannah Guthrie was emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking.
—Jacques Billeaud, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The final score of 100-77 tells the story of a second half that was never remotely close, and Florida (16-6, 7-2) was more than happy to push the pace late in search of cracking the 100-point mark.
—Jim Root, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Trust that whatever is cracking open now is making room for a more authentic version of you to emerge.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Just behind the Dell desktop in my grandfather’s living room, behind the cracking pleather of our office chair, there was a bookcase.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Other posts catch the sound of the tree slowly cracking as the sap freezes and expands.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
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
Replace any old, cracking wood cutting boards with this extra-large option that’s now half off.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
During my sailing, the chefs did open-air barbecues on two nights, working with Big Green Egg grills on the top deck, grilling fresh Atlantic prawns and tender steaks, and also cracking open fresh oysters.
—Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
As those natural oils break down, the wood may become dry, dull, and more prone to cracking or staining.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Savannah Guthrie was emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking.
—Jacques Billeaud, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The final score of 100-77 tells the story of a second half that was never remotely close, and Florida (16-6, 7-2) was more than happy to push the pace late in search of cracking the 100-point mark.
—Jim Root, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Trust that whatever is cracking open now is making room for a more authentic version of you to emerge.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Just behind the Dell desktop in my grandfather’s living room, behind the cracking pleather of our office chair, there was a bookcase.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Other posts catch the sound of the tree slowly cracking as the sap freezes and expands.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracking
Adjective
-
Six solid to excellent major leaguers, two average ones and 11 busts.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Use Dryer Balls to Keep Sheets Separated Dryer balls are an excellent tool for combating tangled sheets.—
Anyssa Roberts,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Perhaps, on extremely long timescales, those heavier elements will sink to the center of the core, producing an inert center that slows the rate of fusion even further.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Even in hockey – a sport that is extremely popular around the world – there are terms used by commentators or pundits that you might not be accustomed to hearing if not a regular to the sport.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now Larsson gets her own chance to shine, doing so in a much clubbier setting built around dazzling, brightly colored outfits and eye-popping lighting.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Alphabet reported fantastic fourth-quarter results on Wednesday, proof that its eye-popping spending on artificial intelligence is accelerating growth across all its businesses.—
,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The child, who had been choking on mucus, was taken to Jacobi Hospital as a precaution and is doing well, police said.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Braddy’s criminal history included convictions for robbery, kidnapping and attempting to kill a corrections officer by choking him.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As an avalanche and dead bodies ratchet up the suspense, Zach must lean on his mother’s wisdom to fight for his life while deciphering a confusing undercurrent of danger, violence and betrayal among the survivors.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
By building out a picture of the whales’ health, habits and diet, researchers are deciphering the many ways humans impact their lives and guiding conservation actions that may mean life or death for the orcas.—
Kelso Harper,
Scientific American,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Providence coach Donny Reynolds has seen Mandac knocking on the door since his high school career began.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
As the captain took the women back to the gate and off the property, Trader allegedly came up and hit Abzal in the face, knocking him back.—
Sara Machi,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Tribes will also discuss underlying factors that cause obstacles in solving cases, according to the event’s news release.—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Item one on Sabalenka’s 2026 agenda was solving the big final problem.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One Florida resident reportedly hired a local mover without bothering to determine if the company was licensed, only to run into a boatload of trouble.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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