as in hissing
to make a series of short, sharp noises
The logs crackled in the fire. The leaves crackled under our feet. a crackling fire
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crackling
For example, a heart murmur or crackling lungs often signify an issue is present.
—
Joshua Hutcheson, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
The album is probably his most divisive, crackling with the frantic, sprawling energy of political upheaval.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Spend your days leaf peeping on a scenic drive, hiking to waterfalls tucked deep in the woods, strolling through quaint downtowns, and sitting down for dinner next to a crackling fireplace at the end of it all.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
The Hollywood actor’s devilish features and unmistakable crackling voice make for a pitch-perfect pair with Solnicki’s sardonic sensibility.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crackling
Joshua Hutcheson, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
The album is probably his most divisive, crackling with the frantic, sprawling energy of political upheaval.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Spend your days leaf peeping on a scenic drive, hiking to waterfalls tucked deep in the woods, strolling through quaint downtowns, and sitting down for dinner next to a crackling fireplace at the end of it all.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
The Hollywood actor’s devilish features and unmistakable crackling voice make for a pitch-perfect pair with Solnicki’s sardonic sensibility.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crackling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crackling
Verb
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Signs of conflict between groups include hissing, fighting, blocking access to resources, or excessive focus on one another—often subtle but highly stressful for the affected feline.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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My pal was in deep slumber, breathed through this kind of hissing accordion.—
Sam Lipsyte,
New Yorker,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Those rustling sounds in the brush might belong to deer — or not.—
Josh Honeycutt,
Outdoor Life,
30 Oct. 2025
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In a matter of just a few days, the county judge, his son, his nephew, and one of his closest allies had been arrested in two separate incidents — the cattle-rustling case and the jury-duty hearing.—
Mitch Moxley,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Niners’ defense is reeling, and the offense is sputtering.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
18 Oct. 2025
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In August, a single-engine Piper PA-28 crash landed on southbound Interstate 805 in Sorrento Valley after the pilot noticed the engine was sputtering and losing power.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crackling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crackling. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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