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
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Feb. 2026
With so much experience playing Head, Claassen is easily able to improvise in the moment answering random questions, cracking jokes and exchanging repartee with audience members, like the unfortunate man in row B who dared to show up at the theater on Friday in a casual sweatshirt.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Natural stone, like marble or granite, is prone to cracking when faced with fluctuating temperatures.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
But on Friday, the bank’s European equity strategy team, which admittedly leans more defensive, warned that the unbroken euphoria is officially cracking in early 2026.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
While private schools aren't required to comply, Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch is cracking its own code on cellphones.
—Olivia Young, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Senior commerce editor Nashia Baker likens this pillow to the feeling of a crisp autumn night, cracking your window to get a fresh breeze.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026
If a plate or mug already has a chip in it, that dish is more likely to continue cracking when put through the dishwasher cycle's hot water and dry heat.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
This permitted pressure to build up and cracking to occur, causing some charred material to break off in several locations, NASA reported.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 17 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
The Avalanche Association also said recent avalanches, rapid melting, heavy snowfall or rain, and cracking or collapsing snow can all mean the terrain is prone to an avalanche.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Feb. 2026
With so much experience playing Head, Claassen is easily able to improvise in the moment answering random questions, cracking jokes and exchanging repartee with audience members, like the unfortunate man in row B who dared to show up at the theater on Friday in a casual sweatshirt.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Natural stone, like marble or granite, is prone to cracking when faced with fluctuating temperatures.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
But on Friday, the bank’s European equity strategy team, which admittedly leans more defensive, warned that the unbroken euphoria is officially cracking in early 2026.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
While private schools aren't required to comply, Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch is cracking its own code on cellphones.
—Olivia Young, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Senior commerce editor Nashia Baker likens this pillow to the feeling of a crisp autumn night, cracking your window to get a fresh breeze.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026
If a plate or mug already has a chip in it, that dish is more likely to continue cracking when put through the dishwasher cycle's hot water and dry heat.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
This permitted pressure to build up and cracking to occur, causing some charred material to break off in several locations, NASA reported.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracking
Adjective
-
There’s also bubbles (the champagne by the glass selection is excellent) and raclette cart service.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The regular season is different from the playoffs, but surely Detroit is champing at the bit to get a rematch of last year’s excellent first-round matchup with the Knicks this postseason.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Criminal defenses that meet the legal threshold to argue an alternative perpetrator was responsible are extremely uncommon in the state, legal experts told the Statesman.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Fajardo-Acosta described him as an extremely serious person who also possessed a good sense of humor, spoke very eloquently and read all the time.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The video of the incident went viral online, popping up across different platforms and drawing varying reactions from different political spheres, garnering praise and criticism alike.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Foodies can savor global flavors at spots like Ghee and the ultra-refined Ogawa, opt for a dose of Nikkei cuisine popping up around the city, or dig into the growing farm dinner scene at spots like Ford’s Farm.—
Carrie Honaker,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Patients usually experience severe disability within three to five years of symptoms beginning and may experience complications including choking, pneumonia or head injuries from falls.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The characteristics and size of the small starch clumps could constitute a choking hazard, said Mondelez Global, which owns the brand, particularly in young children and the elderly.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Health care professionals are now caught between deciphering new legislation and their duty to provide quality care.—
Eleanor Sobel,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai and Glenn's teammate Alysa Liu followed and overtook her score, knocking her off the podium.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In the hunt for their own goal, the Americans kept knocking on the door, but couldn’t break through.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In his view, Mercor’s work is a step toward solving bigger problems.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Preteen girl at desk solving homework with AI chatbot.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One Florida resident reportedly hired a local mover without bothering to determine if the company was licensed, only to run into a boatload of trouble.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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