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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Recent Examples of crackling
Tensions are crackling between the pals of 25 years because Serge has bought an ultraexpensive painting.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
The chemistry is crackling, the setting is evocative and the yearning is as colossal as the Deetzes’ shrimp cocktail — and even more delicious.
—Jamie Harrow, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
The finale closes on the skull, mysteriously crackling with energy, a talisman of promise and threat at once.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Goodman’s novel is a tribute to her influences, and a crackling joy to read.
—Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crackling
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
The chemistry is crackling, the setting is evocative and the yearning is as colossal as the Deetzes’ shrimp cocktail — and even more delicious.
—Jamie Harrow, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
The finale closes on the skull, mysteriously crackling with energy, a talisman of promise and threat at once.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Goodman’s novel is a tribute to her influences, and a crackling joy to read.
—Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crackling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crackling
Verb
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Cats may stare at a certain spot in the room, or walk in to the room and start hissing for no apparent reason.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Oct. 2025
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Splinter after splinter flopping onto the stone threshold, tsss, tsss, hissing like a nest of vipers.—
Zuzana Říhová,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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During the 1880s, the brothers lived here and made their livelihood rustling cattle and horses, while at the same time disposing of unsuspecting ranchers who wandered too close to their hideout.—
Patti Nickell,
Boston Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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But the extent to which its defense is sputtering may be a surprise.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crackling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crackling. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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