1
2
as in chokes
to yield to mental or emotional stress
after hours of tough questioning the suspect finally cracked and blurted out a confession
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in solves
to find an answer for through reasoning
I've been mulling this riddle, but I just can't crack it
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in crazes
to cause to go insane or as if insane
cracked by years in solitary confinement, the prisoner could only maunder incoherently
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in claps
a loud explosive sound
the tree fell with a sharp crack
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in jokes
something said or done to cause laughter
a whispered crack made the whole back row start laughing
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in eccentrics
a person of odd or whimsical habits
that conspiracy theorist has been labeled a crack by the ballistics experts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of cracks
Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Anthony cracks Top 50 Roman Anthony only has 71 big league games under his belt, but the promising Red Sox outfielder is already earning widespread acclaim from across the sport.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Surveying a roomful of merrymakers during my visit, amid noise that could be an OSHA violation, Rodrigue cracks a small smile.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2026
To make matters even more complicated, the one who cracks the case will receive a promotion.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
The chef’s signature uovo poche craccante may sound basic, but only a master of the culinary arts can poach an egg to perfection then wrap it in a thin coat that cracks like the top of a creme brulée.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026
Chowdhury says that there is a growing cadre in government and industry who have bought into the hype around humanoids and believe that the world economy will be dominated by whoever cracks the problem first.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The gruesome mayhem continues as another family member slips on some small toy cars left on the floor and cracks his head open on the corner of a piano.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 21 Dec. 2025
Whether this Netflix acquisition cracks the Best Picture lineup a year after its filmmakers’ previous effort, Sing Sing, did not, will be a telling indication of the state of the American indie.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Mamie Bah, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Over time, internal cracks will likely widen, particularly within the military, the impenetrable force that has underpinned the regime and blocked the opposition.
—Juan Pablo Spinetto, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
The Institute for Postnatural Studies seeks out the cracks in traditional institutional authority to redesign knowledge.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Her voice cracks in pain, anger, and heartbreak at how thoroughly the system and those around her failed her.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Every year that passes means scores of children falling through the cracks.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
When checking your freezer, inspect glass jars and containers for cracks, which can lead to glass shards contaminating food.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 31 Jan. 2026
That pillar is beginning to show cracks, however, with about 56% of GOP voters saying the same now.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
Use a vacuum to get into cracks and crevices.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026
Verb
That is what literally cracks open everything.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Anthony cracks Top 50 Roman Anthony only has 71 big league games under his belt, but the promising Red Sox outfielder is already earning widespread acclaim from across the sport.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Surveying a roomful of merrymakers during my visit, amid noise that could be an OSHA violation, Rodrigue cracks a small smile.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2026
To make matters even more complicated, the one who cracks the case will receive a promotion.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
The chef’s signature uovo poche craccante may sound basic, but only a master of the culinary arts can poach an egg to perfection then wrap it in a thin coat that cracks like the top of a creme brulée.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026
Chowdhury says that there is a growing cadre in government and industry who have bought into the hype around humanoids and believe that the world economy will be dominated by whoever cracks the problem first.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The gruesome mayhem continues as another family member slips on some small toy cars left on the floor and cracks his head open on the corner of a piano.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 21 Dec. 2025
Whether this Netflix acquisition cracks the Best Picture lineup a year after its filmmakers’ previous effort, Sing Sing, did not, will be a telling indication of the state of the American indie.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
The water then builds up, finds its way under the shingles and any cracks, back into the attic and then through the ceiling.
—Mamie Bah, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Over time, internal cracks will likely widen, particularly within the military, the impenetrable force that has underpinned the regime and blocked the opposition.
—Juan Pablo Spinetto, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
The Institute for Postnatural Studies seeks out the cracks in traditional institutional authority to redesign knowledge.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Her voice cracks in pain, anger, and heartbreak at how thoroughly the system and those around her failed her.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Every year that passes means scores of children falling through the cracks.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
When checking your freezer, inspect glass jars and containers for cracks, which can lead to glass shards contaminating food.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 31 Jan. 2026
That pillar is beginning to show cracks, however, with about 56% of GOP voters saying the same now.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
Use a vacuum to get into cracks and crevices.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks
Verb
-
When most people think of California wine country, Napa likely pops to mind first.—
Nicole Findlay,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Feb. 2026
-
But Attia is also all over the Epstein files—his name pops up more than 1,700 times in the Justice Department’s latest batch of documents.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bond chokes Blofeld, who quickly dies from the virus.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Much of the work focused on pulling out English ivy, an invasive vine known for slowly killing trees, and clearing debris that chokes the forest floor.—
Brian Unger,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
-
Julio Cesar Chavez suffers his first loss in 91 fights when Frankie Randall knocks him down in the 11th round and wins the WBC super lightweight championship on a split decision.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
-
And then some thug comes along and knocks him over.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Seek’s application for potassium permanganate solves a nagging issue for the denim industry, but the flexibility of the organic bleaching system is wide reaching.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The person who quietly solves a critical problem looks less valuable than the one sending three status updates a day about trivial progress.—
Andy Molinsky,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
-
The peak of Yosemite’s granite wall is higher than the tallest building in the world and requires climbers to navigate a maze of fissures, crevices and cracks.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The fatal shooting sparked demonstrations nationwide and has deepened fissures between federal and state officials.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The blows are often connected to the COVID-19 pandemic and the dual labor strikes that hit Hollywood.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The restaurant weathered the blows of COVID-19, but the relationship between Valente and his partners was strained.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracks. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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