CRACKS Synonyms: 406 Similar and Opposite Words

cracks 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of crack

as in pops

to break suddenly with an explosive sound the tree branch unexpectedly cracked under our weight

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as in chokes

to yield to mental or emotional stress after hours of tough questioning the suspect finally cracked and blurted out a confession

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as in deciphers

to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language the United States military used the Navajo language as a code during World War II, and the enemy never cracked it

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as in knocks

to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner cracked the bow of the ship with a champagne bottle

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as in solves

to find an answer for through reasoning I've been mulling this riddle, but I just can't crack it

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as in crazes

to cause to go insane or as if insane cracked by years in solitary confinement, the prisoner could only maunder incoherently

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cracks

2 of 2

noun

plural of crack

as in fissures

an irregular usually narrow break in a surface created by pressure a pebble struck the car's windshield and left a spidery crack in it

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as in blows

a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument a disciplinary crack on the hand with a ruler was once common in schoolrooms

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as in claps

a loud explosive sound the tree fell with a sharp crack

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as in attempts

an effort to do or accomplish something this is my first crack at painting

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as in jokes

something said or done to cause laughter a whispered crack made the whole back row start laughing

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as in eccentrics

a person of odd or whimsical habits that conspiracy theorist has been labeled a crack by the ballistics experts

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cracks

Verb

When that belief cracks, the line stops being a signal and starts being a complaint. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 31 July 2026 Nobody cracks 60 points, even though this was early in the cap era when scoring was up. — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 30 July 2026 Anger When denial finally cracks, the energy that follows goes one of two directions. — Tim Albright, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Holmes deduces that each pose represents a letter and cracks the code by matching the most common poses with the most common letters. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026 There was one where the both managers got ejected in the same moment, which cracks me up. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026 This cracks long plastic chains into smaller hydrocarbon chunks. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 6 June 2026 Later, in response to some minor infraction, Joseph cracks his belt across little Michael’s butt. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 21 Apr. 2026 That the New York DMA was in the mix is particularly noteworthy, as Gotham rarely cracks even the Super Bowl’s top-20 local markets—a function of its sheer size. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026

Noun

Since then, three more Manhattan office conversion projects have been ordered to partially pause or halt construction this month over issues ranging from missing paperwork to cracks in concrete beams. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 30 July 2026 Bieniemy was brought back specifically to establish an everyday expectation with the Chiefs — to re-establish habits that have slipped through the cracks on offense over the past couple of years. — Sam McDowell July 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026 Now, Schroeder says FAST responds right away and ensures cases don't fall through the cracks, even when witnesses are uncooperative. — Ashley Grams, CBS News, 29 July 2026 Researchers previously documented similar polygons in the past formed by mud cracks, but there are multiple ways that could have created them billions of years ago. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 July 2026 Our systems have cracks, and people fall through them every day. — Yujia Zhu, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Look for cracks and for fluid seeping out at connection points. — Keith Laing, USA Today, 22 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks

Verb

That’s pretty much what happens when any bubble pops, as a Dutch tulip obsessive could have told you in 1637 or a bitcoin evangelist could have told you in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018, or 2022.

— Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
This one features a standard spring bar in the center that easily comes out and pops back in with a single hand.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 20 July 2026

Definition of pops

Verb

Remove chokes from artichokes and steam in small amount of water for 15 minutes, adding water to pan as needed.

— Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Connecticut’s largest cities also struggle with the state’s highest property tax rates, which chokes business growth and, in turn, shifts more burden onto residential owners.

— Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2026

Definition of chokes

Verb

Qualcomm’s chip can run Linux, along with Arduino software, and can even do computer vision, which deciphers what a camera sees and translates it into software.

— Kif Leswing, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
With that base knowledge and his opponent’s game tape, Nolan analyzes wide receiver alignments and deciphers the offense's attack.

— Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 18 Sep. 2025

Definition of deciphers

Verb

One of the marks of Charles is his ability to keep getting up when the world knocks him down.

— Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 2026
Thekla then strikes Nightingale with the microphone and attempts to hit her with the championship belt, but Nightingale knocks her away.

— Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of knocks

Verb

Much like previous financial crazes around meme stocks and NFTs, true believers view prediction markets through a stick-it-to-the-man prism.

— Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 Jan. 2026
Check out some of the most instantly recognizable ‘90s teen hallmarks, including the most popular bedroom furniture, beauty products, and fashion crazes.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 11 Jan. 2026

Definition of crazes

Noun

While effective in winning the war, the new government faced social and political fissures in the postwar period.

— Donovan Fifield, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
So, too, does the idea that a soccer coach could close fissures that even the well-meaning among career politicians have failed to seal.

— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 18 June 2026