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
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
That was the first in a series of viral videos for the family, with Cruz also gaining popularity for cracking jokes on Instagram.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Using porous graphite felt and enhanced heat transfer, gas released from the resin escapes while a vacuum system removes it, allowing crowns to survive the process without cracking.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
One by one, with sweaty palms and cracking adolescent voices, the pupils rose and read.
—Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Real problems, like a roof leak, cracking drywall due to a foundation problem, and ponding around a home, are examples of allowable and protected issues under the statute, Perczak said.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
The Suncast resin hose hideaway prevents cracking, tangling and freezing as temperatures drop.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
To Bajaria, the obvious benchmark is cracking Netflix’s list of the most popular shows ever.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Each utensil is made of premium teak wood that’s designed to last for years in your kitchen without cracking or melting.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 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
The case went cold for over two decades before Detective Tara Augustin and Detective Alyson Dupouy took a stab at cracking it.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
That was the first in a series of viral videos for the family, with Cruz also gaining popularity for cracking jokes on Instagram.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Using porous graphite felt and enhanced heat transfer, gas released from the resin escapes while a vacuum system removes it, allowing crowns to survive the process without cracking.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
One by one, with sweaty palms and cracking adolescent voices, the pupils rose and read.
—Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Real problems, like a roof leak, cracking drywall due to a foundation problem, and ponding around a home, are examples of allowable and protected issues under the statute, Perczak said.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
The Suncast resin hose hideaway prevents cracking, tangling and freezing as temperatures drop.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
To Bajaria, the obvious benchmark is cracking Netflix’s list of the most popular shows ever.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Each utensil is made of premium teak wood that’s designed to last for years in your kitchen without cracking or melting.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracking
Adjective
-
The Steelers will have an opportunity to get back on track against an excellent Green Bay Packers squad next Sunday, before playing the Indianapolis Colts two days before the NFL trade deadline.—
Jon Conahan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
That’s because tipping isn’t in their culture, but Americans still might wish to add gratuity for excellent service.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Almeida is extremely likely to have wrestling success early in this fight, and the question becomes whether Volkov can survive and extend the matchup.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Last offseason, the Red Sox were extremely active, trading for ace pitcher Garrett Crochet and signing All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There appears to be a new beginning popping up for you this week, Cancer, especially in relation to your home, family or domestic life.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Simply place an individual portion of meat and veggies onto a sheet, add your favorite herbs and spices, drizzle with oil or butter, and roll up the parchment paper into a little pouch before popping it into the oven to steam.—
Lauren Wicks,
Southern Living,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That dominance in clean technologies would enable China to position itself as a leader in global climate talks; build stronger ties with Global South countries in need of cheaper, cleaner energy; and reduce choking pollution within China was only further reason to go all in on clean technologies.—
Alex Wang,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
-
In Lansing, Michigan, a group of friends around a late-night campfire spotted another raccoon in distress — this one choking.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Though historians have called for further research before making claims, the proposal of a script rooted in sign language might open the chance to explore a new way of deciphering Mayan art and show the ancient civilization to be even more sophisticated and efficient than scholars even knew.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Now, a team of international astronomers has succeeded in deciphering the gravitational wave signal, GW190412, to determine more about the collision and the resulting event that sent an infant black hole hurtling through space.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Sneaker waves are especially concerning, capable of knocking people off their feet, pulling them into cold ocean water, or trapping them under logs.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
For a spy thriller, the mechanics of solving this case aren’t terribly interesting.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Ziels believes some of nature’s tiniest organisms could play a massive role in solving major environmental challenges, especially as cities worldwide face mounting pressure around waste and clean energy.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Saft, not bothering to remove his sneakers, leaped onto a chair to place an ornate gold mirror over the mantelpiece.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Talk through what’s bothering you to gain a compassionate perspective.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share