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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of crank
Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 14 Oct. 2025
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
Matt Egan, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Add the final ½ of milk, then crank things up to high.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crank
Noun
Hand crank radio Hurricanes, like any weather pattern, are unpredictable.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 14 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
This setup gives Trump some breathing room to crank up the pressure on Moscow in a bid to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Add the final ½ of milk, then crank things up to high.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crank
Noun
-
At just below 60 feet, Dickie’s Reef is a haven for barracuda, parrotfish, butterfly fish, crab and lobsters.—
Adrienne Jordan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Antipasti, insalata, and fritti follows, with dishes like lobster polpette fra diavolo, capellini crab AOP, and the new Mario’s Famous di Mare Salad.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 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
-
Since the beginning of this administration, Silicon Valley’s biggest bosses have appeased the president, capitulating to his every whim — agreeing to pay export taxes, giving away equity to the government, defunding schools for Latino students and ending diversity programs.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times editorial,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
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Lawrence propels herself through space like a woman possessed, and Ramsay underscores her mysterious inner drive with music and rhythm, letting songs illustrate Grace’s moods and whims, from the innocent to the romantic to the punishing.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Swaggering around the stage, Manow is triumphant, imperturbable.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
-
On November 30, 1680, a procession of new viceroys made their triumphant entry into Mexico City.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Junkaroo, a kaleidoscopic, centuries-old street parade rooted in West African traditions and a joyful window into Bahamian heritage.—
Mark Ellwood,
AFAR Media,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Coming back to this joyful city to be honored is a very precious moment.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Solar panels, for example, can make a big difference in sustainable energy generation, and so can wind power.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
New Glenn, the towering orbital rocket that Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin designed to compete with SpaceX’s dominant Falcon rockets, is back for its second launch ever — this time with a job to send twin spacecraft on a long, winding trip to Mars.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
At The Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa, located between both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, guests can borrow bear spray and hiking poles, two hard-to-transport items that are essential for hiking in the area.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Nov. 2025
-
This $30 glass cup, released on November 6, was shaped like a honey bear wearing a silicone beanie and holding its own tiny Starbucks drink.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
One study showed that eating more legumes, nuts, and seeds was linked to fewer GERD symptoms.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Hearty salads with protein like nuts or cheese can help vegetarians round out their plates without meat.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crank. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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