1
as in applauding
to declare enthusiastic approval of
that sports car isn't all it's cracked up to be
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crying up
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively
the movie is being cracked up as the blockbuster of the summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in laughing
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
try not to crack up at your own punch lines—it's funnier if you keep a straight face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cracking up
The height difference between the dogs left people cracking up.
—
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Apa and Cline are both cracking up now as Apa drops one more bomb.
—EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Apa and Cline are both cracking up now as Apa drops one more bomb.
—EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracking up
Verb
-
While Nadella and the executive team are taking criticism from some staffers, Wall Street is applauding the company's growth and execution.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Their powerful performances prompted a 15-minute standing ovation, and the wrestler-turned-actor was seen tearfully applauding.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Xi was also pictured laughing with Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in China.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
-
One of the producers actually fell off his chair laughing.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In fact, constantly praising your Gen Z employees can become impractical and downright exhausting.—
Colleen Batchelder,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The museum was beloved by locals, who left online reviews praising the staff's work and their warm welcome.—
Yegor Mostovshikov,
The Dial,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The brand is blowing up for its bold designs, playful colorways, and the distinct versatility of its catalog.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Surely Putin was in a panic at that point, for had NATO even threatened to take any action—such as blowing up the Kursk bridge and thereby trapping his army in Ukraine—he would have been left with the choice of surrender or all-out intercontinental nuclear war.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The dogs react excitedly, their noses pushed against the glass and their tails wagging furiously, as their owner can be heard giggling behind the camera.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The singer also added clips of the women giggling with each other over meals at the villa and out for dinner at restaurants.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Scott was recently appointed the creative director of Proenza Schouler; not a small feat, especially for a Black woman hailing from Jamaica.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Part of the participants are from Latin American countries, particularly hailing from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.—
Marcelo Cajueiro,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bungie took the rare step of doing an emergency buff live patch last night after announcing it in the TWAB to try to fix/improve The Portal and loot systems.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
This is not Chiu, who enthusiastically takes part in the process, sometimes even announcing purchases for the Crocker on social media.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Cherry breaks a Champagne flute on her own head and runs out of the gallery, screaming that Laura attacked her.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Danielle recounted hearing screaming and people running in the chaotic aftermath of the shooting.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cracking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking%20up. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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