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
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
Tesla is recalling 173 Cybertrucks because cracking in the rotor could cause the wheel stud to separate from the wheel hub, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Key showcased strong skills as a blocker and decent hands in college, but will need to carve out a role as a trusty possession receiver and special-teamer to have any shot at cracking Denver’s initial 53-man roster.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
During this week’s interview, Hall discussed the challenge of cracking the depth chart as an undrafted rookie and offered his perspective on having Hunter in the room with him.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
Last One Laughing sees 10 comics spend the day together without so much as cracking a smile if possible.
—Peter White, Deadline, 4 May 2026
In cold winter areas, ceramic pots need protection to avoid cracking.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 May 2026
From feeding chickens at a Harlem farm to cracking jokes about the Boston Tea Party during the White House state dinner, the monarch, alongside his wife Queen Camilla, delivered a steady stream of viral moments that showed a lighter, more personal side of the royals.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Tuesday, April 28 Health inspectors cited the Rancho Cordova Thai restaurant after finding the cook cracking an egg on the prep line and continuing to prep food without proper handwashing and glove replacement.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
may 1, Sacbee.com, 1 May 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
The righty then made a quiet case for cracking the Yankees’ Opening Day bullpen this spring.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
Tesla is recalling 173 Cybertrucks because cracking in the rotor could cause the wheel stud to separate from the wheel hub, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Key showcased strong skills as a blocker and decent hands in college, but will need to carve out a role as a trusty possession receiver and special-teamer to have any shot at cracking Denver’s initial 53-man roster.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
During this week’s interview, Hall discussed the challenge of cracking the depth chart as an undrafted rookie and offered his perspective on having Hunter in the room with him.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
Last One Laughing sees 10 comics spend the day together without so much as cracking a smile if possible.
—Peter White, Deadline, 4 May 2026
In cold winter areas, ceramic pots need protection to avoid cracking.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 May 2026
From feeding chickens at a Harlem farm to cracking jokes about the Boston Tea Party during the White House state dinner, the monarch, alongside his wife Queen Camilla, delivered a steady stream of viral moments that showed a lighter, more personal side of the royals.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Tuesday, April 28 Health inspectors cited the Rancho Cordova Thai restaurant after finding the cook cracking an egg on the prep line and continuing to prep food without proper handwashing and glove replacement.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
may 1, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracking
Adjective
-
Conversations around excellent kebabs in Southern California tend to begin with the Martirosyan family and their Mini Kabob in Glendale.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
The lighting, art design and score are all excellent – and the single shot construction gives the film a dreamy, meditative quality.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Adverb
-
Maine, too, saw its COVID numbers increase dramatically despite extremely high vaccination uptake.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
Even from my extremely suboptimal vantage point in the very front corner of the theater, I was awed by the depth and crispness of the 3D imagery.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Does Link have a pill-popping problem now?—
Max Gao,
Variety,
8 May 2026
-
One of the major keys to popping curls is a healthy scalp, and this two-in-one cleanser and scrub keeps roots and follicles in prime condition so hair can flourish.—
Aimee Simeon,
Glamour,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Jurors then heard sounds of banging and choking — and Athena screaming and crying, the Star-Telegram reports.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
-
How about allegedly choking a live-in chef?—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The clicks are part of a growing sperm whale phonetic alphabet that researchers at CETI are deciphering.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Summer is knocking at the door.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
-
Not a dog barking or a feral cat knocking the lid off the garbage.—
Ellen Bass,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The sheep rise to the occasion and use all the mental mystery-solving skills George and his stories have left behind.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The one-million-cubic-meter-level salt cavern hydrogen storage demonstration project began operation in Pingdingshan on Saturday, signaling progress in solving one of hydrogen energy’s biggest challenges.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Try taking 10 to 15 minutes each day to write out what's bothering you.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
2 May 2026
-
Yusei Kikuchi said throwing fastballs was bothering him again, so the Los Angeles Angels pitcher left Wednesday's 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox after two innings with left shoulder tightness.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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