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
Britt Lower, Time, 15 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
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
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2026
His touch swift and light—like a breeze has found its way through the window cracks.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
While that gizmo promised that just two sharp cracks from a pair of human hands could turn any electronic device on or off, sonogenetics requires significantly more finesse.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
The rate clawed back up to 26% last year — but cracks in the growth narrative persist in the world’s largest democracy.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Even with that fix, Rasmussen said the process has left him feeling like there's a potential things could fall through the cracks.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
To fill the cracks in all the sculptures, the artist had melted vats of beeswax.
—Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
For whatever sprinkling of sociopathy that Quinn might have, seeing her dead best friend’s daughter, who looks just like her best friend, standing in front of her cracks through a little bit.
—Max Gao, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026
But that heat shield showed some cracks on the lone previous Artemis mission — Artemis 1, which successfully sent an uncrewed Orion to lunar orbit and back in late 2022.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
Rhea has a wondrous laugh, which cracks the air like a lightning bolt of joy.
—Britt Lower, Time, 15 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
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
Noun
To use either method, sprinkle it along baseboards, behind appliances, and in cracks or crevices where roaches may be traveling.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2026
His touch swift and light—like a breeze has found its way through the window cracks.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
While that gizmo promised that just two sharp cracks from a pair of human hands could turn any electronic device on or off, sonogenetics requires significantly more finesse.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
The rate clawed back up to 26% last year — but cracks in the growth narrative persist in the world’s largest democracy.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Even with that fix, Rasmussen said the process has left him feeling like there's a potential things could fall through the cracks.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
To fill the cracks in all the sculptures, the artist had melted vats of beeswax.
—Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
For whatever sprinkling of sociopathy that Quinn might have, seeing her dead best friend’s daughter, who looks just like her best friend, standing in front of her cracks through a little bit.
—Max Gao, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026
But that heat shield showed some cracks on the lone previous Artemis mission — Artemis 1, which successfully sent an uncrewed Orion to lunar orbit and back in late 2022.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks
Verb
-
When the city clears one encampment, another pops up, often nearby.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
His pocket awareness still needs work, though, and the occasional scattershot stretch pops up from time to time.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Jasmine almost chokes on her corn dog when that comes out of Janet’s mouth.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Then Leaphorn appears, knocks her down, and chokes her.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Apr. 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
-
Victor Caratini, whose two-run single in the first inning gave the Twins some breathing room, hit a sacrifice fly earlier in the game and both Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis had RBI knocks for the Twins in the win.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
7 Apr. 2026
-
A lot of the low end on the production really knocks, too.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rising to the #1 spot signals strong business fundamentals, consumer trust and a product that genuinely solves a modern pet owner’s problem.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
-
While philosophers may lose sleep over it, physicists don’t have to, because cosmic inflation solves it.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Apr. 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 ledges are broken by crevices and fissures, and loose rocks of all sizes lie on them and below them.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Cracks and fissures are being monitored on several walls, ceilings and facades throughout the hall.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ukraine’s constant innovation in drone technology is giving its military an edge on the battlefield, dealing major blows to Russia’s army and economy.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Israel and Lebanon are currently scheduled to engage in direct talks in Washington on Tuesday as Israel and Hezbollah continue to trade blows.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracks. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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