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
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
This is a grand adventure and cracking good mystery awash with gaslighting, brawls, murders, red herrings and a secret society.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
If your thermostat doesn’t go that low comfortably, try cracking a window, running a fan, or swapping to lighter bedding.
—Allison Palmer
march 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
One more goal will add Brian Dumoulin to that list and cracking double digits will give Clarke the same total as every other Kings blue-liner in sum.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Washington recorded its 45th loss of the season in its 61st contest while falling to 2-23 when not cracking at least 110 points.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
The Forma is built from Grade 1 commercially pure titanium, which unlike other more rigid metal-shell case frames has a degree of natural flexibility that can handle some rough treatment without cracking under stress but absorbing impacts.
—New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2026
There was the breakfast Lilian supervised with Phillip, who approved of Jude and Evan’s scientific spirit when they were tasked with cracking a hundred eggs.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Wise-cracking scribes wanted changes.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
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
There were also stories about Reinsdorf not being amused by the wise-cracking or esoteric commentary by Benetti during play-by-play, as if baseball were a deadly serious sport that should be treated with more dignity.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
This is a grand adventure and cracking good mystery awash with gaslighting, brawls, murders, red herrings and a secret society.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
If your thermostat doesn’t go that low comfortably, try cracking a window, running a fan, or swapping to lighter bedding.
—Allison Palmer
march 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
One more goal will add Brian Dumoulin to that list and cracking double digits will give Clarke the same total as every other Kings blue-liner in sum.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Washington recorded its 45th loss of the season in its 61st contest while falling to 2-23 when not cracking at least 110 points.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
The Forma is built from Grade 1 commercially pure titanium, which unlike other more rigid metal-shell case frames has a degree of natural flexibility that can handle some rough treatment without cracking under stress but absorbing impacts.
—New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2026
There was the breakfast Lilian supervised with Phillip, who approved of Jude and Evan’s scientific spirit when they were tasked with cracking a hundred eggs.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Wise-cracking scribes wanted changes.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracking
Adjective
-
Their egg dishes are excellent, the burger is top-notch and the roasted chicken, which is cooked over an open fire in the kitchen, is superb.—
Lisa Boone,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The bralette-style cups on this dual-strap tankini top are an excellent fit for smaller chests, and the criss-crossing back is a fun touch.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Now the molecule was DMT, which causes an extremely intense but relatively short trip.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The researchers also say the laser could benefit industries that depend on nanoelectronics, including semiconductor manufacturing, by helping engineers detect extremely small defects in chips.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Utility infrastructure and data center warehouses are popping up across Georgia, but are there enough workers trained to support all that rapid growth?—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Her eye-popping numbers included a 38-point, 13-rebound performance in a 72-44 win over Hillcrest to win a Class 3A sectional title and a 30-point, 14-rebound showing in a 69-48 win over Lincoln-Way East to win the Sandburg Holiday Classic.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Israel attacked oil depots on Sunday, igniting huge fires that smothered Tehran in thick, choking smoke, amid what residents have said is the heaviest bombing of the war so far.—
Patrick Reevell,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
This often results in a choking, snorting, or gasping sound as normal breathing resumes.—
Daniel Combs,
Verywell Health,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When your speech is clear and reliable, no fog, no spin, no quiet evasions, people stop wasting energy deciphering you and start collaborating with you.—
Adam Dietz,
Big Think,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Pitch tipping — the art of deciphering what might be coming based on small tells a pitcher might have — is a legal and common practice.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The 13-year-old allegedly punched Hernandez-Lopez multiple times in the face, knocking him unconscious before deputies arrived, the sheriff’s office said.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Monaco, despite being reduced to 10 men in both legs, also came unexpectedly close to knocking them out of the play-offs.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One senior official told reporters over the weekend that businesses need to take a greater lead in helping policymakers figure out which tech challenges are worth solving and in evaluating research outcomes.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But there was something about this—the problem solving with the life and death part of it, the actual heights of it.—
Outside,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mass incarceration has led to a fast-growing bloc of citizens who either are legally barred from voting or have just stopped bothering.—
Kevin B. Smith,
The Conversation,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Stop bothering me with things that don’t make sense.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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