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

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 There was one where the both managers got ejected in the same moment, which cracks me up. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026 This cracks long plastic chains into smaller hydrocarbon chunks. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 6 June 2026

Noun

While Harry did reunite with his father, the lack of meeting between the brothers signified that cracks between them still run deep. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 The silicone sleeve on this 32-ounce glass bottle helps prevent it from cracks and chips, and the time markings remind you to drink water all day to stay hydrated. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 Looking past the empty storefronts and weeds growing through the cracks in the parking lot, Pine Tree House has a homey, diner-like atmosphere and some of the best Korean food in the area. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026 The regional security architecture remained intact, but cracks were beginning to show. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 The continued appearance of the virus’ telltale rash in state after state since last year warns of cracks in our once-solid protection, leaving communities vulnerable to other deadly contagions. — Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 18 Aug. 2026 As the coconut milk breaks and separates (cracks), look for traces of yellow-green oil bubbling at the edge or a slightly dark yellow-green oily film on top. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026 Scan Pieces for Flaws Hairline cracks, cloudiness, and chips are unfortunately common in glassware, so check every surface for signs of damage. — Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026 But research shows contaminated toys are still slipping through the cracks. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks

Verb

The Jaws reference pops up again during one of Tom’s town hall staff meetings.

— Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
Dark circles happen, acne pops up, and dark spots can even appear despite diligent sunscreen use.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 14 Aug. 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

Brink is no stranger to the injury bug, as this is just the latest in a series of knocks the Sparks center has taken recently.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
The denim collection from Levi’s always knocks it out of the park, and these baggy jeans are no exception.

— Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of knocks

Verb

Offering space as a service solves this problem and allows small businesses to put their products in front of customers in a physical space.

— Catherine Erdly, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
But once the team solves those problems, deployment could be nearly anywhere with bodies of water.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of solves

Noun

The model also accounts for major geologic faults because the bedrock layer in those areas is more likely to have cracks and fissures, according to Campbell.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
The pitched and often emotional vote over Proposition 40 exposed deep fissures in the state party over how to respond to growing grassroots anger over wealth inequality.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of fissures

Noun

Guevera also reportedly came to blows with Eddie Kingston in 2022, leading to Kingston’s suspension.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Cammisano’s conviction was one of the last major blows against the Kansas City Mafia, with only one major conviction since — when two were convicted in 2013 of burning down the Hereford House in an insurance scheme.

— Jack Harvel August 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026