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
New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026
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
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
After cracking a filling while eating, his wife began researching local dental offices, focusing on clinics with strong reviews from foreign patients and a reputation for quality care.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
That's when a teenage rider on an e-bike collided with Bode cracking his helmet and shattering his arm.
—Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Romero said, cracking a smile, then a laugh.
—Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
The one-liners, which Foxworthy began cracking in the late 1980s, helped propel the comedian to mainstream stardom in the 90s.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Further, when algorithms are periodically strengthened to account for advances in cracking abilities, the process occurs automatically, with no interaction required.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026
Maybe this dude could be the key to cracking this whole case open.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Diners spend hours cracking shells with wooden mallets, picking meat by hand, and washing it all down with cold beer.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
Adjective
The study published in the journal Construction and Building Materials also revealed that the triangular and wavy forms significantly enhanced the beam's ability to handle post-cracking stress.
—New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026
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
These parts of the outback are known for cracking clay plains, ephemeral waterways, scorching summers and dramatic cycling between drought and flood.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
After cracking a filling while eating, his wife began researching local dental offices, focusing on clinics with strong reviews from foreign patients and a reputation for quality care.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
That's when a teenage rider on an e-bike collided with Bode cracking his helmet and shattering his arm.
—Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Romero said, cracking a smile, then a laugh.
—Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
The one-liners, which Foxworthy began cracking in the late 1980s, helped propel the comedian to mainstream stardom in the 90s.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Further, when algorithms are periodically strengthened to account for advances in cracking abilities, the process occurs automatically, with no interaction required.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026
Maybe this dude could be the key to cracking this whole case open.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Diners spend hours cracking shells with wooden mallets, picking meat by hand, and washing it all down with cold beer.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracking
Adjective
-
Watts got another excellent chance in the waning seconds, but the Patriots defense forced the shot to go wide.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2026
-
Today, Montage Laguna Beach remains one of Southern California’s definitive seaside resorts, known for its stunning views, excellent service, and loyal repeat guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
Adverb
-
According to Outword Magazine Fred Palmer, the owner of Scott’s, Alan Irvine, is extremely gay supportive and has hosted numerous events for both Outword and the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce (see below).—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
-
The whole episode is a reminder to product designers everywhere that users can be extremely sensitive to the seemingly smallest changes — and Spotify clearly had not anticipated that a teeny-tiny disco ball drop would prove to be unpopular.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Deep Plums and Mauves Deep plums and mauves are two unexpected colors Soto says are popping up this holiday season.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Dec. 2025
-
After popping the balloon, their little ones joined in on the excitement and cut into a cake that had pink filling.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Those sharp fragments can cause choking, become lodged in the digestive tract, or even puncture the stomach or intestines.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
15 June 2026
-
Police investigation after choking death Police opened their investigation due to the unusual nature of Medina's death.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Currently, judges in California courts are responsible for deciphering the nuances of California’s Invasion of Privacy law.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
-
The study creates new criteria for deciphering old dice and allows archaeologists to further explore how games have evolved over time, researchers say.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The chute dragged the skydiver backward, knocking the camera operator off the plane and into free fall.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
12 Dec. 2025
-
And that's to say nothing of the mental health impacts on children in these workers' care, especially when ICE agents come knocking on school and child care center doors, Norton adds.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
This environment is continuously unlocking new pathways to discovering and solving problems, and the very tools of science itself are transforming in unprecedented ways.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
-
These are professionals who have spent years working alongside some of the best filmmakers in the world and who bring an extraordinary level of expertise, discipline and problem solving to every production.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Instead of lobbing the ball from end to end, teams played straight up the gut (brighter red colour), barely even bothering to use the wings (darker blue colour).—
John Muller,
New York Times,
6 June 2026
-
Brunson turned on the boosters in the second half, attacking the Spurs' defense and showing little sign that his knee was bothering him.—
Alejandro Avila,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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