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
Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026
But as with the dismantling of huge swaths of our research capacity, this refusal to even consider this mRNA flu vaccine on what are obviously ideological grounds is going to affect a hell of a lot more people than just the cranks who agree with them.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
For now, the brewery doesn't have to crank up production to fulfill export demands.
—Betsy Joles, NPR, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crank
Noun
Early locations had a giant clown head popping out of a square box on the roof, based on children’s jack-in-the-box toys, music boxes with cranks that, when turned, cause figures to pop out of their lids.
—Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026
But as with the dismantling of huge swaths of our research capacity, this refusal to even consider this mRNA flu vaccine on what are obviously ideological grounds is going to affect a hell of a lot more people than just the cranks who agree with them.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
Freezing temperatures have overtaken many parts of the country this winter, prompting people to crank up the heat in their homes.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
For now, the brewery doesn't have to crank up production to fulfill export demands.
—Betsy Joles, NPR, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crank
Noun
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People who eat freshwater crab, prawns, frogs, snails and slugs are at greatest risk.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Think jumbo lump crab cakes and goat cheese queso with wild mushrooms.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On her trail are a Báthory relative who is vegetarian (Thomas Schubert), his psychotherapist (Lars Eidinger), two vampirologists, a police inspector and a gallery of eccentrics.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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Catherine O’Hara portrayed ridiculous eccentrics with equal parts hilarity and humanity.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Trump’s fixation about coal is another of his whims of iron, like tariffs.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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But a system that allows a country to be dragged into war at the whims of a single person is not much of a democracy at all.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While Vatrano was back in the mix and had a triumphant return to the lineup in Wednesday’s victory over the New York Islanders, when Strome recorded an assist, Strome’s future and role were less certain.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
7 Mar. 2026
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Liu, who retired after the 2022 Beijing Games only to launch a triumphant comeback two years later, became the first American woman since Kimmie Meissner in 2006 to win the world title last year in Boston.—
Mercury News staff,
Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
After spending much of his first season with the Lakers in a stunned funk following the blockbuster trade that shipped him out of Dallas, Doncic has tried to revive his joyful style this year.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
From thought-provoking discussions and engaging events to joyful celebrations and community service.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Accessibility The property is deep in the jungle and has many winding paths and stairs to common areas, restaurants, and certain guest rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Mar. 2026
-
But bringing Tinker Bell to live action as a central figure has been a prolonged and winding journey.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The stop-motion short tells the simplistic tale of a bear who comes under the care of a maternal (paternal?—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
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The two bear cubs can be seen exploring the crawl space — and making a ton of noise — with their mom in the background.—
Brooke Baitinger,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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With a scientific advisory board that includes the top experts in microbiome research and clinical science, Seed focuses on nuts-to-bolts testing and scientific evidence.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
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Rethink the morning meal with ideas like a Greek yogurt bowl with chia seeds, eggs with black beans, cottage cheese with fruit or a smoothie made with milk and nut butter.—
LeeAnn Weintraub,
Daily News,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crank. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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