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
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
The blocker is not merely the neighborhood crank with a CEQA lawyer.
—
Tracy Hernandez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 May 2026
Rebecca Treon,
Parents,
18 June 2026
Netflix kicked off the summer by cranking up the heat with the new Jennifer Lopez rom-com Office Romance.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for crank
Noun
Visitors will be welcomed to visit the pop-up book and rotate a crank that flips through the pages, providing a behind-the-scenes look into what makes Philly’s Chinatown so vibrant.
—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
The blocker is not merely the neighborhood crank with a CEQA lawyer.
—
Tracy Hernandez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 May 2026
Verb
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
Netflix kicked off the summer by cranking up the heat with the new Jennifer Lopez rom-com Office Romance.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for crank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crank
Noun
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The sculpture—which is home to live fish and crabs—takes inspiration from Newtown Creek, the toxic waterway between Brooklyn and Queens.
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Pair it with the crispy soft shell crab or Wagyu beef and black garlic gyoza for summery dinner.
Noun
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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.
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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.
Noun
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Grants could be canceled due to political whims, and new layers of bureaucracy would inhibit basic scientific activities like publishing papers and attending conferences.
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And, of course, for all his whims on the basketball court to come true.
Adjective
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In the 1980s, Hollywood started collaborating with the Department of Defense on films that would paint a more triumphant, patriotic portrait military compared to the critical movies made in the shadow of the Vietnam War.
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West is full of stories about the musical’s triumphant 1994 premiere.
Adjective
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Part of Black history is innovation in the face of oppression and a determination to create safe, inclusive, and joyful spaces for ourselves and for everyone.
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Would society trend toward debilitating mass unemployment or the joyful end of work?
Verb
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Through the risk of lightning, sticky humidity and a winding line filled with thousands of chanting fans, Argentine fans flooded Bayfront Park with a sea of blue jerseys.
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One feels exposed, out in the elements, seeking shade from shapes that appear like altars or overlooking winding paths that veer high and low.
Noun
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Ron Magill, a conservation liaison with Zoo Miami Foundation, told ABC News that bears can feel threatened or competitive with other animals like dogs.
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Authorities in northern Aomori prefecture said on Monday that a man found dead on a mountain that day may have been attacked by a bear.
Noun
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Foods with natural oils or fats, like olive oil, whole grains, and nut butters, are especially vulnerable to heat damage.
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But are there any downsides to consuming this nut spread regularly?
Cite this Entry
“Crank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crank. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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