1
as in triumphant
having or expressing feelings of joy or triumph
you shouldn't feel so crank, considering that you beat the worst softball team in the league
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joyful
joyously unrestrained
folks around here are downright crank that a local boy won a gold medal in the Olympics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in eccentric
a person of odd or whimsical habits
she's a bit of a crank, but still a good-hearted person
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crab
an irritable and complaining person
he's always a crank until he has his morning coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in whim
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action
his endless and unpredictable cranks made spending time with him exhausting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 crank
Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
To my way of thinking, Halloween is a great excuse to crank up the oven and do a little holiday baking.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Design details were inspired by Ferrari engine blocks and crank cases.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crank
Adjective
Meanwhile, the dark, grainy cinematography and gloriously creepy music (thank you, Lalo Schifrin) crank the fear factor up to 11.
—Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
To my way of thinking, Halloween is a great excuse to crank up the oven and do a little holiday baking.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
Far from being uninformed cranks, many of the people embracing Luddism grew up with smartphones and know all too well how enticing (and overwhelming) the technology can be.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Design details were inspired by Ferrari engine blocks and crank cases.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crank
Adjective
-
Xi emerged triumphant, strengthening his hand ahead of what could be the most consequential diplomatic showdown of 2025.—
Neil Thomas,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
-
This achievement followed his dominant showing in major tournaments, including a triumphant US Open victory in 2024 and strong performances throughout the current season.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In addition to delightful dish after delightful dish, tasting menu participants have the joyful experience of choosing their own chopstick holder and steak knife.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The post has evolved into All the Cool Girls Get Fired, a rollicking, joyful self-help book and how-to guide, that aims to empower and inform women amidst the turbulent job market of the 2020s.—
Hadley Meares,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Appealing to consumers searching for a piece of history, the store has gained a following of visitors hunting for unique souvenirs, designers on inspiration trips and local eccentrics.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
-
For Mimi Pond, the desire to do a book about the Mitford sisters – six larger-than-life British eccentrics (and one brother) who created a stir in both British and American culture – was obvious.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Key West native Mario Palazon of FreshCo Fish Market & Grill in Kendall, who has been in the seafood wholesale business for more than 20 years, says that his suppliers have been catching a record number of crabs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
-
To accommodate the crabs' safe journey to the sea, Christmas Island residents typically keep rakes and leaf blowers in their cars to help the crustaceans on their way, the outlet reported.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Unlike the reception or other pre-wedding events that feature traditional elements like speeches or cake cutting, the after-party is a celebration that can be crafted entirely according to the whims of the couple.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Still, one of the goals of the legislation, at least in theory, is for affordable-housing development to rely less on the whims of individual politicians.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The highways stretch out flat, winding around small cattle farms and churches.—
Tyler Kingkade,
NBC news,
31 Oct. 2025
-
How to Watch North Carolina at Syracuse Bill Belichick’s first season as North Carolina head coach is winding to a whimpering close, but an ACC win over Syracuse under the Friday Night Lights would sure turn some frowns upside down at Chapel Hill.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Like Meghan, Mookie is also a proud parent of two.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Creating a brand that uplifts underrepresented communities is my proudest accomplishment.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The question of how to manage Indiana's forests sparks some of the livelier and more contentious debates among local environmentalists.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Inside a converted warehouse (complete with an outdoor patio), the lively, family-friendly taproom serves creative small-batch brews, drawing a steady mix of locals and visitors.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crank. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share