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
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
CBS News, 11 May 2026
While that study didn’t examine the impact of pre-release cracks, the potential economic impact is likely even higher.
—Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
But small-value retirement accounts routinely slip through the cracks, lost or forgotten by people who change jobs.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 May 2026
From there, a weekly check-in and clear-out ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 10 May 2026
Kelvin Yeboah missed two cracks at a PK in the 22nd minute for Minnesota United.
—ABC News, 10 May 2026
Seal cracks and gaps near windows, decks, and eaves, and fill holes in the yard to close off potential entry points.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Dry conditions followed by abundant water will cause the tomato flesh to expand faster than the tomato skin, and soon cracks develop, so try to keep soil moisture consistent.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2026
But cracks in the league’s foundation may have started to show late last year as a pair of its higher-profile players moved to exit LIV despite its staggering prize money.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 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
Kelvin Yeboah missed two cracks at a PK in the 22nd minute for Minnesota United.
—CBS News, 11 May 2026
While that study didn’t examine the impact of pre-release cracks, the potential economic impact is likely even higher.
—Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
But small-value retirement accounts routinely slip through the cracks, lost or forgotten by people who change jobs.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 May 2026
From there, a weekly check-in and clear-out ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 10 May 2026
Kelvin Yeboah missed two cracks at a PK in the 22nd minute for Minnesota United.
—ABC News, 10 May 2026
Seal cracks and gaps near windows, decks, and eaves, and fill holes in the yard to close off potential entry points.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Dry conditions followed by abundant water will cause the tomato flesh to expand faster than the tomato skin, and soon cracks develop, so try to keep soil moisture consistent.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2026
But cracks in the league’s foundation may have started to show late last year as a pair of its higher-profile players moved to exit LIV despite its staggering prize money.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks
Verb
-
After Trevor strolls back to his muscle car and drives away, Easton pops up, curious as to who that was.—
Matt Thompson,
SPIN,
11 May 2026
-
But don’t rule them out of buying more if there’s one that pops.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
11 May 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
-
He wasn’t invited to the combine this winter and drew knocks from some evaluators for his lack of length and his inconsistency as a pass rusher.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Temperatures will be near 81 degrees on Monday, and then turn cooler on Tuesday through Thursday after a cold front knocks them back into the mid- to upper 60s.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
This dump-and-bake casserole solves that.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 May 2026
-
Start with one small project that solves a daily irritation and build momentum from there.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 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
-
People with irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas, rectal bleeding, heart disease, or high blood pressure should also avoid the procedure, Hazan says.—
Erica Sweeney,
Time,
11 May 2026
-
But there are fissures in the-- in the regime.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
This incident also led to Eckert and Hellberg nearly coming to blows before being separated by the fourth official.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
Israel and Hezbollah have continued to exchange blows, mainly in southern Lebanon, since a nominal ceasefire took hold last month.—
Compiled byDemocrat-Gazette stafffrom wire reports,
Arkansas Online,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracks. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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