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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
2
as in crab
an irritable and complaining person
he's always a crank until he has his morning coffee
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crank
Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 30 July 2025
As Machado and teammates crank up the season’s second half, starting Friday in Washington D.C., against the Nationals, extra attention is due the Padres and their fans for this small-market success story.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 July 2025
Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 16 Oct. 2023
Model numbers can be found on the inside of the crank arm near the backside of the arm where the pedals are attached.
—Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 22 Sep. 2023
Randall Colburn, EW.com, 18 July 2025
Released in April, the 187-page paperback spans the unusual wonders around the Hoosier state, such as an underground tunnel in the floor of a bookstore, a 64-ton fountain shipped to Indiana from Brazil, and a jail that rotates with the turn of a hand crank.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for crank
Adjective
Americans cranking up their air conditioners, fans and swamp coolers over a single hour in late July consumed more electricity than ever before as sweltering heat spread from the Midwest to the East Coast.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 30 July 2025
As Machado and teammates crank up the season’s second half, starting Friday in Washington D.C., against the Nationals, extra attention is due the Padres and their fans for this small-market success story.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 July 2025
Noun
This means the percentage of energy transferred from your legs during each pedal stroke to your crank arm.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 16 Oct. 2023
Model numbers can be found on the inside of the crank arm near the backside of the arm where the pedals are attached.
—Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 22 Sep. 2023
Verb
The chaotic third act cranks up the tension and violence, building to a gnarly climax that's equal parts disturbing, hilarious, and curious.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 18 July 2025
Released in April, the 187-page paperback spans the unusual wonders around the Hoosier state, such as an underground tunnel in the floor of a bookstore, a 64-ton fountain shipped to Indiana from Brazil, and a jail that rotates with the turn of a hand crank.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for crank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crank
Adjective
-
Having been parachuted in from a triumphant reign at Sporting, Amorim knows how quickly moods can change, and meetings with Manchester City and Chelsea before September ends only further raise the stakes on starting strongly.—
Peter South,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
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The video perfectly mimics the iconic Universal Pictures opening sequence—the slow rotation of a shining globe, the swelling orchestral drums and that triumphant fanfare audiences instantly associate with a major movie.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Dad was proof that life didn’t end—indeed, could become more joyful—after sobriety.—
Nancy Walecki,
The Atlantic,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The Bangladeshi pre-wedding party was filled with joyful music and dancing, plus purifying turmeric blessings.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Ra’s decades-long adherence to this personal mythology, along with his air of serene bemusement and his extravagant robes and headdresses, led to his popular image as a colorful eccentric.—
Ekow Eshun
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
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Other characters include outcasts, visionaries and eccentrics — all of whom live on the margins as unseen — a former priest, a girl trapped in working her family’s candy stand, a woman who learned preaching from her brother and is a caretaker for her dying housemate.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
The crab shirt, and right, Barney's smiling reaction.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
-
These ranged from more than 30 new breakfast items and dishes like soft shell crab tempura bao buns in Red Ginger.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Your own personal golf buggy to whiz around the resort and a dedicated butler to ensure every whim is met—from pillow menus to sunset canapés.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Unlike toilet paper and baby formula, which experienced shortages during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, toys are a discretionary purchase subject to the whims of trend-seeking consumers.—
Alex Vuocolo,
Fortune,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Trump's own relationship with both Putin and Zelenskyy has been winding, running hot, then cool, then hot.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
-
East wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Next time, put your phone away, watch, and be proud.—
Janine Clements,
Miami Herald,
19 Aug. 2025
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This is a proud program with a history of success, but Southern Miss has fallen on hard times, with four losing records in the last five seasons.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Its Crown Kids Club pulses with creativity—think gooey slime-making, art workshops, kids’ gymnastics, and lively Pokémon shows—plus a dedicated cinema, a LEGO playroom, a mini kitchen workshop, and a glittering Princess Spa.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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The lively multi-cultural party band Kotoko Brass plays on Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. on Guilford Green Stage One.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
10 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crank. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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