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
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
Gwen then cracks a joke about firing Del Rio's character.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
There is a $100,000 reward for information that cracks the case.
—Michael Ruiz , Amanda MacIas, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Saodimallsu Women's Button-Down Cardigan Sweater My 15-year-old is currently big into cardigans, which cracks me up a little because my signature look at 15 also happened to be cardigan sweaters.
—Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
Come tipoff, Mark Jones cracks jokes in play-by-play coverage, alongside network partners Richard Jefferson and Monica McNutt.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Look for small cracks and holes, and use sealant caulk to fill the space permanently.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
And yes, there are cracks about how the two look as if they could be related.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Consciousness becomes analogous to a number, a structure, or a pattern — an abstract noun — and its defining feature, the first-person feeling, slips through our explanatory cracks.
—Conor Feehly, Big Think, 10 Mar. 2026
Employers unexpectedly cut jobs in February and the unemployment rate rose, pointing to cracks in the labor market just as price pressures intensify.
—Marcus Wong, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Start off with the surroundings, like a nightstand made of natural wood and cracks in all the right places, as if it were plucked from a sylvan landscape.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Geologists concluded that the boulders formed over four million years as calcite built up around an organic core, which also caused the rocks' striking cracks to form over time.
—Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
As the building aged, shifting soil under the foundation caused cracks and gaps between the walls and floors.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
The deal cracks the seven figures, to be split by the writers.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
Gwen then cracks a joke about firing Del Rio's character.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
There is a $100,000 reward for information that cracks the case.
—Michael Ruiz , Amanda MacIas, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Saodimallsu Women's Button-Down Cardigan Sweater My 15-year-old is currently big into cardigans, which cracks me up a little because my signature look at 15 also happened to be cardigan sweaters.
—Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
Come tipoff, Mark Jones cracks jokes in play-by-play coverage, alongside network partners Richard Jefferson and Monica McNutt.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
Homeowners should also seal any openings that could allow termites to enter, such as cracks in cement foundations or gaps around utility lines, using cement, grout or caulk.
—Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Look for small cracks and holes, and use sealant caulk to fill the space permanently.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
And yes, there are cracks about how the two look as if they could be related.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Consciousness becomes analogous to a number, a structure, or a pattern — an abstract noun — and its defining feature, the first-person feeling, slips through our explanatory cracks.
—Conor Feehly, Big Think, 10 Mar. 2026
Employers unexpectedly cut jobs in February and the unemployment rate rose, pointing to cracks in the labor market just as price pressures intensify.
—Marcus Wong, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Start off with the surroundings, like a nightstand made of natural wood and cracks in all the right places, as if it were plucked from a sylvan landscape.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Geologists concluded that the boulders formed over four million years as calcite built up around an organic core, which also caused the rocks' striking cracks to form over time.
—Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
As the building aged, shifting soil under the foundation caused cracks and gaps between the walls and floors.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks
Verb
-
In addition to the main cast of characters, the hilarious Annie Mumolo pops up as Walter’s droll and exasperated assistant, and Rory Scovel is the bumbling, small-town cop.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
-
An image then pops up on the scoreboard rendering a final verdict.—
Kevin Sherrington
Mar. 9,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Like other invasive plants, stinknet chokes native plants and increases fire risk.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
With fuel and freight prices skyrocketing as war chokes the Strait of Hormuz, the Panama Canal is seeing more business than usual.—
Elizabeth González,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 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
-
Dean Puckett, United Kingdom, 2025 A single mother and her child are put through a nightmarish ordeal when a politician knocks on their door.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Opportunity knocks, though, as Virginia Tech hits the road going for a sweep of archrival Virginia on Saturday.—
Jim Root,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Strengthening the layers Epoch 2 solves the problem of unpredictable missile paths by using high-tech heat sensors and laser communication.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Tune in for short episodes every Wednesday and Saturday as Grumpy answers reader questions, solves seasonal conundrums, and provides need-to-know advice for gardeners with his very Grumpy sense of humor.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 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
-
Sandstone and limestone provided fissures and fractures where these hydrocarbons could sit, and caprock kept everything in place.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The controversy has highlighted both religious and political fissures.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The blows exchanged were so numerous that The Athletic had to assign Jack Lang to patiently trawl through footage of them all.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The MacBook Neo dealt a series of mighty blows to its budget PC competition, but that Lenovo machine’s Arm processor presented some challenges for the Apple laptop’s iPhone chip.—
Joe Osborne,
PC Magazine,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracks. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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