cracks up

verb

present tense third-person singular of crack up
1
as in applauds
to declare enthusiastic approval of that sports car isn't all it's cracked up to be

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in announces
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively the movie is being cracked up as the blockbuster of the summer

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in laughs
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound try not to crack up at your own punch lines—it's funnier if you keep a straight face

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 up But then Anton brings up the idea of Talia and Brooke using him as their sperm donor and Talia fully cracks up. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 During one particularly fun moment shared by the LPGA Tour on Instagram, Clark cracks up at Cunningham's energetic approach to the sport — which ended in her accidentally hitting a fan with the ball. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks up
  1. applauds
  2. announces
  3. laughs
  4. praises
  5. blows up
  6. giggles
  7. hails
  8. advertises
Verb
  • Valdes applauds her patient’s athletic lifestyle and said several large studies back the benefits of finding a physical and social activity when dealing with cancer.
    — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Even so, Wilson applauds Hamilton for making classical studies popular and accessible through her vigorous writing style and skill as a storyteller.
    — David Conrads, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of applauds
Verb
  • Aided by gun dealer Garry (Michael Ironside) and a sheriff, Heidi (Olivia Thirlby), who ran afoul of corrupt local leadership, Fitz announces plans to exact vengeance against bloodthirsty Mirko and drive Brownstone out of Valentine permanently.
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026
  • When someone announces a million new materials, ask how many were actually made and how many were stable under realistic conditions.
    — Ahmed Ismail, Forbes.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of announces
Verb
  • The woman laughs every now and then and the man begins to almost sing between his puffs on his beedi.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The author laughs ruefully when accused of his own version of nostalgia, admitting that the version of the airport he’s created feels closer to our present-day reality.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of laughs
Verb
  • Shopping editor Audrey Lee, who tested an earlier iteration of the Evolution, praises its high level of comfort and cooling abilities.
    — Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Executive chef Marie Douroux at Virgin Hotels New Orleans praises these wood-growing fungi for their beauty as well as their flavor.
    — Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of praises
Verb
  • The segment ends with Homer suffocating Kodos with a pillow — this after the military blows up the heads of dozens of aliens.
    — Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Trinity's safe world blows up when reports surface that something is killing both demons and Wardens.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of blows up
Verb
  • But Alexca, a bubbly toddler who giggles and runs about, has conquered her grandmother’s heart.
    — Julie Watson, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • Herbert then grabs Beer's face and pulls her in for a kiss as the singer giggles.
    — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 7 May 2026
Definition of giggles
Verb
  • The song hails as one of four new tracks from a new edition of Swift’s 2025 album, The Life of a Showgirl, marking the latest in a long line of variants the pop star has put out since the LP’s release nearly one year ago.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Kyiv hails the vote as vital political backing after months of lobbying, but the sanctions’ real impact hinges on how aggressively Washington enforces the new powers at home and abroad.
    — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of hails
Verb
  • Anthropic advertises a salary floor of $265,000 for charmers willing to spend half their time on the road in increasingly hostile territory.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The billboard along Independence advertises the Charlotte FC soccer team.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of advertises

Browse Nearby Words

cracks (on)
cracks up
cracks wise
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Cite this Entry

“Cracks up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracks%20up. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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