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
Doctors noted a crackling sound, suggesting gases bubbling out of his dying flesh, and some of the outer layers of skin were peeling off.
—
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
The chef serves her signature fish nearly whole with crackling skin and flaky flesh, but head off and skillfully deboned.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
If the morning is chilly, there’s breakfast in the orangery beneath the Roberto Ruspoli mural, beside a crackling fire.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
King Taco’s crackling PA system kept announcing orders.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crackling
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
The chef serves her signature fish nearly whole with crackling skin and flaky flesh, but head off and skillfully deboned.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
If the morning is chilly, there’s breakfast in the orangery beneath the Roberto Ruspoli mural, beside a crackling fire.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
King Taco’s crackling PA system kept announcing orders.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crackling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crackling
Verb
-
Mature geese have kept a close eye on the eggs, occasionally honking and hissing at those who have approached.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
-
He was later woken up by a hissing sound and noticed a flame on the floor of his bedroom.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Not a leaf rustling toward autumn.—
Ellen Bass,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
End your drive with a stay at Chinati Hot Springs, and soak in the steaming springwater beneath rustling cottonwoods and the glittering expanse of Texas stars.—
Eva Frederick,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Maybe Bryce Eldridge and Jesús Rodriguez can kick-start the sputtering engine?—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
-
So, the Dodgers’ offense has been sputtering as of late.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crackling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crackling. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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