crank 1 of 3

noun

ˈkraŋk How to pronounce crank (audio)
Definition of cranknext
1
as in crab
an irritable and complaining person he's always a crank until he has his morning coffee

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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

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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

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crank

2 of 3

adjective

chiefly dialect
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crank

3 of 3

verb

as in to wind

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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
Noun
The firefighters ultimately used a hand crank to move the elevator, and Wallace told the outlet that the museum gave the everyone lifetime free passes in return. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 10 July 2026 The crank makes opening and closing easy, and the cloth is UV-resistant and waterproof. — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
Verb
The western portions of Miami-Dade County have been experiencing brush fires since early June, as temperatures in the region crank up and amid an ongoing drought in the Everglades. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026 On your Route 66 road trip, crank up your playlist and get ready to cruise – and keep an eye out for some seriously cool vintage cars. — Rebecca Treon, Parents, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for crank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crank
  1. crab
  2. eccentric
  3. whim
  4. triumphant
  5. joyful
  6. wind
  7. bear
  8. nut
Noun
  • The winning appetizer, though, was the aesthetically humble but nonetheless delicious jumbo lump crab cake, a mustardy affair crowned with pickled radish.
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • During a visit to the Copenhagen restaurant on Tuesday, chefs practiced preparing pike perch, brown crab, shrimp, and mushrooms in Noma’s open kitchen.
    — James Brooks, Fortune, 30 July 2026
Definition of crab
Noun
  • With its loose ends and digressions, Dream Me a Dream stays true to those idiosyncratic instincts while retaining enough of the welcoming glow of Dance of Love to make this an affecting farewell from an endearing eccentric.
    — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026
  • The eccentric cuz is quick to try and help Bobby solve problems, which often gets him into trouble, but ultimately pushes him out of his shell.
    — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026
Definition of eccentric
Noun
  • The luxury cruise line is known for its private yacht-style atmosphere, including complimentary caviar and premium wine served at your whim.
    — Megan duBois, Southern Living, 22 July 2026
  • Controlling manufacturing in-house is also a plus so the enterprise is not at the whims of third parties when trying to flip inventory each season.
    — Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 21 July 2026
Definition of whim
Adjective
  • In Miami, there will be no triumphant return to South Beach for a reunion with Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra.
    — David Aldridge, New York Times, 25 July 2026
  • The breach arrives just months after the museum’s triumphant unveiling of its new $82 million expansion, work on which kept the institution closed for two years.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 20 July 2026
Definition of triumphant
Adjective
  • From cute to hilarious and sometimes even weird, this year’s selection highlights joyful, inventive images.
    — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • News to Know If there was some new big furor involving the WNBA this weekend, it was overshadowed by the league’s joyful celebration of its 30th season.
    — Matt Piper, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of joyful
Verb
  • Although the Belmont break was smooth, Renegade and Ortiz took to the back alongside Golden Tempo and Commandment and had more to do winding his way through the pack than either of them.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, thousands more are waiting in county jails for cases that are winding through a new, convoluted and confusing system where geography controls the rules.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of wind
Noun
  • The unidentified woman took out a shotgun to try to scare away the adult bear and its two cubs from her dog but was attacked and hospitalized on July 9, according to the authorities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
  • According to wildlife officials, bears are known to cache and defend food sources this time of year and noted reports that at least one moose had recently been killed nearby.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of bear
Noun
  • Food-wise, the kitchen keeps things simple with nuts, pickles, charcuterie and a quietly excellent artichoke dip.
    — USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • In a bowl, stir together the nuts, cooled sesame seeds, coriander, cumin, salt (if using) and pepper.
    — Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 28 July 2026
Definition of nut

Phrases Containing crank

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craniums
crank
cranked
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Cite this Entry

“Crank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crank. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on crank

Nglish: Translation of crank for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crank

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