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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
  • Donaldson lives above the smoke shop and applauds the efforts to close the store.
    — Raymond Strickland, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Earlier this week, former GOP Senator Jeff Flake, of Arizona, endorsed Ossoff saying despite their policy differences, Flake applauds Ossoff's character and his commitment to doing the job.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of applauds
Verb
  • The inflation print comes before the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee announces its latest policy update on Thursday.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Tennis great Roger Federer announces his retirement from pro tennis at 41 with 20 grand slam wins and 103 ATP titles.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of announces
Verb
  • We’ve been called sickos in the press for this game [laughs].
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Rubin laughs—they’d even leave some of the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion on her face.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of laughs
Verb
  • While Tarlov was grateful for his advice, her book praises current Fox News Chief Executive Suzanne Scott for creating a workplace culture that is much more hospitable to women.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • For all his obvious qualities in attack, Ruiz also praises Kvaratskhelia’s defensive work.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of praises
Verb
  • John gets the upper hand and nearly takes the ring, before one of Zoe’s satellite weapons blows up half the motel, forcing Hal to use what little charge is left in the ring to protect himself and John.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The person who blows up at a subordinate under stress has usually been subtly condescending in one-on-ones for months.
    — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 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
  • Techno-optimism hails AI’s transformative potential to solve major social problems and address unmet needs.
    — Marianne Cooper, Time, 5 Aug. 2026
  • State propaganda hails these robots as emblems of China’s ascent; in the hallway, most people sidestep them with the kind of indifference usually reserved for a Roomba.
    — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of hails
Verb
  • That visit can uncover an emerging underclassman before the offer list advertises him.
    — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The lot is operated by Parkwell and advertises an early-bird rate that covers the day.
    — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 15 Sep. 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 19 Sep. 2026.

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