CRANING Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

craning

verb

present participle of crane

as in lifting

to move from a lower to a higher place or position craned her head to see the roof

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 craning Most of the attendees crammed along the fences, craning their necks and holding their phones aloft on their tiptoes. — Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 One of my first memories of any kind is sitting on my parents’ bedroom floor, craning my neck to watch the ’91 World Series on the old TV atop their dresser. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 22 July 2026 Giraffes are some of the most recognizable creatures on earth, with their towering height and craning long necks. — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 18 July 2026 Everyone knew the story, though Andrew’s relatives were more reluctant to speak of it, to even mention the cult’s name — Synanon — craning their necks to see if any members of her family were close enough to overhear their speculations. — Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026 In a video shared on X, Hargitay could be seen craning her head while trying to look around a referee. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 11 June 2026 Beyond the glass, across a small rocky strip of water, the zoo’s eldest giraffe is craning his impossibly long, elegant neck up to a hanging basket of foliage and methodically stripping the branches of their bark. — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 11 May 2026 Joshua appeared as surprised as any of us, craning around as if the words had been blurted by someone on the periphery. — Chang-Rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026 This flexible holder attaches easily to your seatback tray table and adjusts to multiple angles, allowing for hands-free viewing without craning your neck. — Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for craning

Verb

Between 2027 and 2029, the heavy lifting shifts to intentional operating-model convergence.

— Rajjie Sarmey, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
In the report, Shedd veterinarians said preexisting sickness likely compromised the whales’ health and left them vulnerable during the relocation process, which involved lifting the belugas by crane and flying them across international borders.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of lifting

Verb

The Ratepayer Protection Act, meant to prevent data centers from raising electricity prices, enjoyed sweeping support in the House from all but three Democrats while all but four of their colleagues in the Senate opposed it.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
While encouraging and raising the odds of the Fed holding borrowing costs steady at its October meeting, the level of market rates has become quite competitive with stocks — not to mention, elevated inflation still eats away at returns.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of raising

Verb

The Coast Guard posted a video showing its rescue swimmers loading survivors into baskets and hoisting them onto helicopters.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026
So as the Knicks begin training camp with dreams of hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy again, Brown is already preaching to his players the importance of maintaining their edge.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of hoisting

Verb

While mostly casual and pared-back, the classic jeans-and-T-shirt combo didn’t stop the actress from elevating her late-night look.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
Five-year board member Tim Blackburn, a historian for the society for about a year, said elevating knowledge about the archives is important.

— Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of elevating

Browse Nearby Words

cranes

craning

cranium

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“Craning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craning. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of craning

verb

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