1
as in crab
an irritable and complaining person
he's always a crank until he has his morning coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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
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
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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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crank
Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Both come with all-wheel drive and panoramic moonroofs as standard, and the GLS even gets the option of a flat-crank V8, as our friends at Car & Driver pointed out.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 1 Apr. 2026
Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
In the interests of affordability, the commission has proposed applying the electricity discounts in August and September — the two months where electricity bills typically run high because so many customers crank up their air conditioners to get relief from hot weather.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crank
Noun
The Republican Party embraced neoconservatism; Buchanan and his cohort were the stewards of an ideology for cranks.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Both come with all-wheel drive and panoramic moonroofs as standard, and the GLS even gets the option of a flat-crank V8, as our friends at Car & Driver pointed out.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
Two of the key weather elements often found when the temperatures start to crank up in the Bay Area — an increase in high pressure and the reversal of winds from an onshore direction to an offshore one — were present on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
In the interests of affordability, the commission has proposed applying the electricity discounts in August and September — the two months where electricity bills typically run high because so many customers crank up their air conditioners to get relief from hot weather.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crank
Noun
-
The goddess Hera — who despised Heracles — later set the crab in the heavens in the form of the constellation Cancer as a reward for its bravery.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 May 2026
-
Many fish live, hide and eat the small shrimp and crabs that are within the seaweed, which made her snorkeling adventure more exciting.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
But what the New Yorker writer left behind is some of the finest prose of the 20th century, focusing primarily on the eccentrics, scalawags, seamen, and other denizens of New York’s dank corners.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
2 May 2026
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The town’s overflowing with charming Midwest eccentrics, including a cocky mayor (Henry Winkler) and a welcoming barkeep (Lena Headey).—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Washington was never meant to be an anthology of presidential whims.—
Israel Melendez Ayala,
Time,
6 May 2026
-
Farming has always been a challenging endeavor, one that operates at the whim of external forces but with little margin for setbacks.—
The Virginian Pilot And Daily Press Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
DeVaux, 44, was photographed trackside in her bright red blazer at Churchill Downs in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, after Golden Tempo's triumphant win at odds of 23-1.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
-
Indeed, Regas is making a triumphant return this spring.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Every seating unfolds to a soundtrack of 90s hip-hop, an unexpected but perfect counterpoint that keeps the room relaxed, energetic, and quietly joyful.—
Lori Fredrich,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
-
The royal mom shared the same picture to her Instagram on Monday, along with a joyful message below.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Those looking for more physical adventures can head to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, with winding hiking trails through colorful rock formations.—
Michael d'Estries,
Travel + Leisure,
6 May 2026
-
The Bolt winds back and dives like a roller coaster, shooting downward at a vertiginous 85 degrees.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
His love for animals was developed through an affinity for koala bears.—
Dave Campbell,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The xG step chart below bears this out.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This year forecasts for nuts and other food are better, but as the animals have emerged from winter hibernation there have also been record numbers of sightings, according to local media.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds can all help support a strong, healthy immune system.—
Mykenna Maniece,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crank. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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