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

And Guy Pearce cracks it as the Aussie who beat the Brits at their own game of publishing. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 When Pennywise cracks a joke, the contrast of his antics with the scary stuff can be more impactful, have more personality, than just scare after scare. — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026 Anyone who cracks your unlock code can get into nearly every app, from banking to social media and even your email—the keys to the kingdom. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Pre-fall closes the chapter on summer but cracks one open to fall. — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026 Jessica transforms the betrayal of a generation taught that work would protect them into visceral cinema, where illness cracks the skin while luxury masks collapse. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 When that belief cracks, the line stops being a signal and starts being a complaint. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 31 July 2026 Nobody cracks 60 points, even though this was early in the cap era when scoring was up. — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 30 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

Noun

There are a lot of people that need a response, and sometimes things just fall through the cracks. — Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026 When the technical knowledge is thin, everything built on top of it eventually shows the cracks. — Andrei Grachev, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 But Oeffling’s not sweating it, whether the record breaks out or falls through the cracks. — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 Look for cracks, injuries, debris and nails that are getting too long. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026 From a plane flying at 6,000 feet, their photos can show cracks in roof tiles after a hailstorm. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026 Lamont told reporters that he was stunned that Diamantis was able to slip through the cracks and flee to Greece. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026 During testing, the structure remained buoyant even after cracks developed, connection points fractured, and an entire lattice layer broke apart. — New Atlas, 20 Sep. 2026 Both releases are another reminder of the vital role physical media companies continue to play in keeping film history and culture alive, especially for essential Indies that might otherwise fall through the cracks. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks

Verb

Harrison, who’s clutching a Sapporo, grabs his friend’s drink and neatly pops the top off using his own bottle.

— Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
If a neighbor mix‑up pops up, write a short summary with next steps so everyone feels aligned.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of pops

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

For public transit commuters, an e-scooter solves the first-mile/last-mile challenge, bridging the gap between home, train stations, and office doors without relying on rideshare services or waiting for connecting buses.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Sep. 2026
Our real goal, and the only thing that actually solves this, is getting people into long-term, stable housing.

— Brad Hamilton, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of solves

Noun

Groundwater steadily rises through fissures in the limestone bedrock, providing the spring with a constant flow of pristine water.

— Savannah Born, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026
Allegations expose fissures within SEIU Two law firms conducted separate investigations into Regan’s behavior at SEIU California, an umbrella group consisting of 17 local service unions.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of fissures

Noun

And in a single season, a high school or college football player absorbs an estimated 600 to 1,000 subconcussive blows.

— Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
While often associated with blows to the head during contact sports, concussions are common at all ages.

— Richard Sima, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2026