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
-
This should be an excellent match against a South Korean side that also has a victory after its comeback last week to beat Czechia.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
Come for that convenience, and stay for lively communal areas, sleek and spacious rooms and suites, and excellent food and beverage programming.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 June 2026
Adverb
-
Canada and Qatar drew their first matches, making this an extremely important opportunity for their hopes of advancing out of the group stage.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
All had extremely low omega-3 levels and at least one risk factor for dementia, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure or cholesterol.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
But the energy was still palpable, with locals sporting soccer jerseys and tourists popping up across the city.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
The eye-popping numbers most associated with Misiorowski come from the radar gun.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
He was also cuffed inside his Bronx home in 2024 after punching a family member in the face and choking them.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
An education tent will provide free education and resources regarding topics from deciphering Title IX to end-of-life care and self-advocacy.—
Sophie Lindberg,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
-
Armed with an adventure kit, participants are summoned to a secret location where they’re tasked with deciphering cryptic codes, uncovering hidden symbols, navigating shifting alliances and outwit enemies and operatives stationed around the campus.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
-
Newsom’s office said that along with the FBI, agents from the IRS have been knocking on doors and asking questions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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, the reviews were largely muted, with analysts not bothering to adjust their revenue estimates for 2027 or 2028, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
-
That appears to be bothering people, as the broadcast noted some pointed conversations among the Spanish team during the hydration break.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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