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

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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
  • The king announces that whoever can lift and string a sacred bow belonging to the Hindu deity Shiva may marry his daughter, Sita.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • That break doesn’t last long as next day Susie’s sister announces a last-minute Christmas wedding… and Susie convinces Alec to tag along.
    — Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 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
  • Special envoy Steve Witkoff praises President Vladimir Putin after Russia frees a retired American teacher.
    — David Hickey, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Levine praises a call from Israel’s president Levine was recovering Sunday from injuries that included what appeared to be stab wounds in her buttocks, which required stitches.
    — Cara Anna, Chicago Tribune, 18 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
  • 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
  • Techno-optimism hails AI’s transformative potential to solve major social problems and address unmet needs.
    — Marianne Cooper, Time, 5 Aug. 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 7 Nov. 2026.

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