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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crank
Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 7 Apr. 2026
The Republican Party embraced neoconservatism; Buchanan and his cohort were the stewards of an ideology for cranks.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 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
Trooper, which sells a 75-item box equipped with water pouches, meal bars, and a hand-crank radio, designed to sustain a family of four for 72 hours, built its kits after the 2024 floods but has found an altogether different audience since the missile and drone volleys started, AGBI reported.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 7 Apr. 2026
The Republican Party embraced neoconservatism; Buchanan and his cohort were the stewards of an ideology for cranks.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 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
-
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
-
The feature doc charts Liam and Noel Gallagher’s triumphant reunion tour Oasis Live ’25, considered one of the most anticipated rock ‘n’ roll comebacks.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
8 May 2026
-
The film shows her triumphant return to the stage during Heart’s resumed Royal Flush Tour last year, performing in a wheelchair and without her wig.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
King Charles, Princess Anne and Prince William are the royal family members who currently helm the events, and Goulding shared a joyful message about her ceremony to remember on Wednesday.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
Larry’s reunion with his wife and children at Anchorage was a joyful thing to watch, and the rest of us will never forget those phone calls to our families.—
Ben East,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Navigating the loss of a friend can be a long and winding journey.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Set against a backdrop of rolling hills, bucolic farms, and a winding river that seems to slow time, the region invites you to breathe a little deeper.—
Hannah Howard,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Among the stops will be Kodiak Island, where bears and puffin colonies abound; Juneau, the capital; and Ketchikan, a popular spot for cruise ships.—
Scott Laird,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2026
-
The bear chased other groups of visitors.—
Mark Price
May 12,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 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 15 May. 2026.
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