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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of cracks
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
But this idea cracks the Standard Model in a different way, and the simplest patch is to add another slightly ambidextrous, but mostly right-handed, sterile neutrino.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
But this celebration of the joys (and practical value) of gardening is also laced with comedy, as Galifianakis cracks plenty of jokes with the experts and kids joining him amongst the greenery.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Apr. 2026
The deal cracks the seven figures, to be split by the writers.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
There is a $100,000 reward for information that cracks the case.
—Michael Ruiz , Amanda MacIas, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 2 June 2026
Many shoppers routinely open a carton of eggs at the grocery store to check for cracks before buying them.
—Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Sheets believes in the power of a group and its members’ enjoyment of each other’s company to help pave over cracks.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
Avoid any with bruises, soft spots or cracks.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
Recent research suggests the material contains lime clasts that can react with water and help seal cracks over time, effectively giving the concrete self-healing properties.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
Other prevention methods include inspecting your home's wood foundation for unwanted gaps, cracks, or crevices, Crumbley says.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 May 2026
Findley recommends using a scraper to loosen mold in sidewalk, patio, and driveway cracks and sweep away the debris.
—Emerson Latham, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026
Even here, on the opening track of her first ambient LP, Weihl’s pop sensibility peers through the cracks.
—Raphael Helfand, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Verb
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
But this idea cracks the Standard Model in a different way, and the simplest patch is to add another slightly ambidextrous, but mostly right-handed, sterile neutrino.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
But this celebration of the joys (and practical value) of gardening is also laced with comedy, as Galifianakis cracks plenty of jokes with the experts and kids joining him amongst the greenery.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Apr. 2026
The deal cracks the seven figures, to be split by the writers.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
There is a $100,000 reward for information that cracks the case.
—Michael Ruiz , Amanda MacIas, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
Seal gaps and cracks to prevent hot air from entering and cool air from escaping.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 2 June 2026
Many shoppers routinely open a carton of eggs at the grocery store to check for cracks before buying them.
—Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Sheets believes in the power of a group and its members’ enjoyment of each other’s company to help pave over cracks.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
Avoid any with bruises, soft spots or cracks.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
Recent research suggests the material contains lime clasts that can react with water and help seal cracks over time, effectively giving the concrete self-healing properties.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
Other prevention methods include inspecting your home's wood foundation for unwanted gaps, cracks, or crevices, Crumbley says.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 May 2026
Findley recommends using a scraper to loosen mold in sidewalk, patio, and driveway cracks and sweep away the debris.
—Emerson Latham, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026
Even here, on the opening track of her first ambient LP, Weihl’s pop sensibility peers through the cracks.
—Raphael Helfand, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks
Verb
-
German is the most prevalent, but French is the default in the west of the country, Italian in the south (nearest to the borders of those countries), while Romansh is more obscure and pops up in a couple of cantons (states, or counties) towards the east.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
Anna Faris pops in an electric blue dress during a visit to Despierta America in Doral, Florida, on May 28.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Not the one who chokes in the playoffs.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
Democratic lawmakers aren’t particularly sympathetic to the industry, pointing to reports of soaring profits for oil companies as the war chokes consumers around the world.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 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
-
And that's when a shot blasts through the door and knocks Lena to the ground.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
-
Hudson showed some subtle support for the jesting knocks to her boyfriend by reposting a clip of his final joke shared on Fox News' official X page.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Version one of a SaaS is a Notion template that solves the problem manually before code gets written.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Imagine a mayor who solves problems instead of preserving them to justify more funding.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
30 May 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
-
Seismic images of mid-ocean ridges typically show rough and jagged terrain, formed when lava oozes up into the cold ocean along faults or fissures and hardens suddenly into stone.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
26 May 2026
-
These seemingly harmless fissures on the surface of a watermelon can indicate deeper problems that affect both taste and freshness.—
Aksha Mittapalli,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
From there, the two schools traded blows until intermission.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
2 June 2026
-
According to the coroner, there was evidence of nine blows to the victim’s head and neck.—
Jonathan Franzen,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracks. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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