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
The game was played in a crackling atmosphere created in part by a conflicted, diasporic fan base that remains furious with the current Iranian government but is still largely supportive of Team Melli.
—
Greg Beacham,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
The game was played in a crackling atmosphere created in part by a conflicted, diasporic fan base which remains furious with the current Iranian government, but is still largely supportive of Team Melli.
—
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Hopp by Wix reports that a single YouTube video featuring a crackling fireplace has generated more than $1,275,729 in revenue.
—
Bybryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
The wafting smell of buttery grits floats in the air and the sound of oil crackling in pans bounces off concrete walls.
—
Delia Rose Sauer,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for crackling
Greg Beacham,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
The game was played in a crackling atmosphere created in part by a conflicted, diasporic fan base which remains furious with the current Iranian government, but is still largely supportive of Team Melli.
—
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Hopp by Wix reports that a single YouTube video featuring a crackling fireplace has generated more than $1,275,729 in revenue.
—
Bybryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
The wafting smell of buttery grits floats in the air and the sound of oil crackling in pans bounces off concrete walls.
—
Delia Rose Sauer,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for crackling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crackling
Verb
-
Then a hissing arrow pins a golden soccer ball to the Clash of Clans escutcheon.
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There’s plenty of feline choreography, like crawling, meowing, and hissing.
Verb
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The only sounds were the birds, rustling leaves in the soft breeze, and insects buzzing around from flower to flower.
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Around a bend, yellow wildflowers pop out of the underbrush, where curious deer and rustling ground squirrels (squinnies to this Iowan) startle.
Verb
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Wrangling my emotions became the difference between sputtering to a halt and moving forward.
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When Vegas was sputtering in late March, with the 19th-best record in the NHL, the fact that its core was signed long-term with little cap space to maneuver could’ve been easily viewed as a detriment.
Cite this Entry
“Crackling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crackling. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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