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

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 Crooks gets to stay in the Big 12 as a senior, and Oklahoma State cracks the top 25. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 27 Apr. 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 Every winter, the freeze-thaw cycle cracks the asphalt from within. — Yunus Emre Tozal, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

Noun

Investors are on the lookout for any signs of cracks in the AI rally that could turn into larger spills. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 July 2026 Garneau preserved the existing perimeter of the space in a rough state with walls, ceiling, moldings, and even cracks maintained as part of the character. — Troy J. McMullen, Architectural Digest, 9 July 2026 These cracks were filled by the lime clasts that reacted with salt or rainwater to recrystallize. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026 Photos released by the CHP show a hole punched through the van’s windshield and a web of cracks surrounding it. — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 Clean debris from cracks and remove any dirt or loose concrete. — Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026 The centers of the leaves may eventually develop holes and cracks and become jagged looking. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 July 2026 If the lenses are badly crazed, meaning marred by microscopic cracks in the lens surface, or moisture is trapped inside the housing, replacement is the better option. — John Paul, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026 Not just cracks in physical structures, researchers have been able to study the effects of harsh temperatures, corrosion, and radiation inside nuclear reactors using radiography, ultrasonics, and electromagnetic labs. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks

Verb

The trail is beautiful year-round but really pops in the fall, when the aspen trees turn shades of yellow, orange, and red.

— Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
What happens to the information after the physical thing pops?

— Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 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

My parents tell stories about me sleeping through loud construction, alarms, and heavy knocks on my bedroom door.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2026
Palestra instead knocks it past him with his right foot with great balance in a tight space.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 27 June 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

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
The group is particularly interested in suspending, fracturing, and reconstructing time through which othered bodies and identities pass, and in exploring the attendant emerging fissures.

— News Desk, Artforum, 17 June 2026

Definition of fissures

Noun

Holloway, even a Holloway who is nearing the end of his career with a somewhat suspect chin and ability to absorb heavy blows, wins this fight more times than not.

— Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Rolling with the punches, though, is harder when the blows keep landing on the starting rotation.

— Jesús Cano, New York Times, 7 July 2026