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
Judy Kurtz, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2026
Grout's biggest challenge is cracking from improper installation or too much moisture.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
Rooms differ in terms of size and views, with 12 and 34 in particular both hosting cracking outlooks over the sea towards Stromboli and Panarea, the latter with a large terrace for sunbathing.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
So how does Maye intend on cracking the Chargers’ secondary for valuable explosive plays?
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Everybody can be cracking jokes and whatnot, but everybody knew the gravity of the situation that day.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, the time has come to get cracking.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 8 Jan. 2026
Why cracking your knuckles got a bad reputation Fernandez has a suspicion about where the myth about knuckle cracking dangers emerged.
—Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026
Police struggle to maintain order, their wooden sticks cracking against the pavement in a futile attempt to control the sheer mass of people.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 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
Nikki Glaser was cracking jokes about CBS News and the Epstein files within moments of taking the stage for her Golden Globes monologue.
—Judy Kurtz, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2026
Grout's biggest challenge is cracking from improper installation or too much moisture.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
Rooms differ in terms of size and views, with 12 and 34 in particular both hosting cracking outlooks over the sea towards Stromboli and Panarea, the latter with a large terrace for sunbathing.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
So how does Maye intend on cracking the Chargers’ secondary for valuable explosive plays?
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Everybody can be cracking jokes and whatnot, but everybody knew the gravity of the situation that day.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, the time has come to get cracking.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 8 Jan. 2026
Why cracking your knuckles got a bad reputation Fernandez has a suspicion about where the myth about knuckle cracking dangers emerged.
—Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026
Police struggle to maintain order, their wooden sticks cracking against the pavement in a futile attempt to control the sheer mass of people.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracking
Adjective
-
But the Red Sox destroyed and ended their relationship with their only true power hitter and proven winner for a player who, though an undeniably excellent addition, was here for 117 total games.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Transition metal fluorides are widely regarded as promising cathode materials because of their high theoretical voltages and excellent thermal stability.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The first indicator is oftentimes a lack of water flow from faucets when the weather is extremely cold.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Skeeter, 36, serves as the Hornets’ player development coach and is also the primary person who works extremely closely with star guard LaMelo Ball.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Several other scarf-like neck pillows have begun popping up, including the Pono Neck Cradle Travel Pillow, $46, and the Vesta Loop Neck Pillow, $50.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The booming stock market has produced eye-popping gains, and the 2025 tax-and-spending bill will lead to fatter federal refunds.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Local news outlets, however, reported that the actor has been in an intensive care unit at a hospital in Seoul after collapsing while choking on food at his home.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Seven elderly men and women were hospitalized after choking on mochi in the first three days of 2026, Japan Today reported, citing the Tokyo Fire Department.—
Stephen Smith,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
By uncovering these complex vocal structures, this research marks a crucial step in deciphering the meaning behind sperm whale communication.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The woman recalled someone knocking on their door, waking her family, before hearing shots.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Los Angeles was knocking at the door again with a third-and-2 from New England’s three-yard line, but Kimani Vidal was stuffed.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
By solving the problem of high credit card APRs, a rate cap could very well end up hurting those it was intended to help.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 Jan. 2026
-
This makes solving the puzzle considerably more difficult.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ibrahim keeps bothering me endlessly, touching my leg and thigh.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Ask her if anything is bothering her.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
24 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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