1
as in crab
an irritable and complaining person
he's always a crank until he has his morning coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
That’s largely because of how high Jaquez was able to crank up the heat from the jump Sunday.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 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
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
That’s largely because of how high Jaquez was able to crank up the heat from the jump Sunday.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crank
Noun
-
The menu leans into coastal favorites, with crowd-pleasers like hush puppies, she-crab soup, and crab cakes.—
Abby Price,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
-
The brunch includes quiche Lorraine, crab and asparagus salad, breakfast potatoes and lemon-poppy cake and includes simple heating instructions.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Those crazy, diverse individuals, that tribe of oddballs and eccentrics, dreamers, and gamblers who make up this business.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Demolishes the East Wing of the White House on an egotistical whim?—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
-
Poor Andy Sachs — in the form of the Disney princess-eyed Anne Hathaway — may have suffered the verbal lashings of a boss who expected whims to move worlds on her behalf.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 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
-
Toast With Nut Butter Toast gives you a quick source of carbohydrates for energy, while nut butter adds protein.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
1 May 2026
-
Ready-to-eat varieties are a time saver, because nuts and seeds are great for snacking right out of the package.—
Amber J. Tresca,
Verywell Health,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crank. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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