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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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 craning 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 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 At large venues like the Paramount, late entries can mean watching from the upper balcony, craning toward the screen. — Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026 Crowds of bird fans carrying smartphones and cameras are craning daily for a look at its silly walk, while mostly maintaining a respectful distance. — ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026 Necks craning to the back of the hall, a hush fell over the small parochial church of Santa María Trinitá on the African island of São Tomé. — Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026 With New York on the verge of history, and Wemby seemingly making history of his own every night, millions are craning their necks to watch. — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 5 June 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for craning
  1. lifting
  2. raising
  3. hoisting
  4. elevating
Verb
  • Proponents say the workout’s minimal movements, like short sets of squats and lifting light weights, leave them with soreness but also increase their muscle.
    — Diana Anos, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • This mission will attempt to place a batch of CubeSats into orbit after lifting off from Andøya Spaceport in Norway.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026
Definition of lifting
Verb
  • But a fresh start comes with plenty of new challenges — from rival ranchers and relentless cattle work to the unexpected trials of raising their teenage son, Carter (Finn Little).
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • SpaceX went public in June, raising roughly $75 billion in the largest IPO on record.
    — Luke Fountain,Justin Papp, CNBC, 3 July 2026
Definition of raising
Verb
  • Germany hasn’t won a knockout match since hoisting the trophy in 2014 and exited here against Paraguay in a penalty shootout.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • Even when the ball bounced off the rim or backboard, Johnson or Storm center Dominique Malonga, who had nine rebounds, was there, hoisting the basketball away from the closest white jersey.
    — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of hoisting
Verb
  • The squad has won four matches in a row, elevating it for the first time in four decades to the competition’s round of 16.
    — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Since the Wright Brothers first took flight in 1903, the aerospace industry in particular has played a key role in elevating travel, commerce and defense, while helping to forge a national identity.
    — Adam Stone, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of elevating

Browse Nearby Words

cranes
craning
cranium
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Craning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craning. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on craning

Nglish: Translation of craning for Spanish Speakers

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