as in to trigger
to cause to function
crank up the CD player so we can dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crank (up)
Verb
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Thermal runaway is a self-sustaining chain reaction where a little bit of pressure or heat starts producing even more heat, leading to a rapid rise in temperature that can trigger deadly fires or explosions.—
Jan Wagner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026 -
Some financial advisors question whether Trump account gifts meet that criteria, which could trigger gift tax return filing requirements.—
Jessica Dickler,Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The garage sprinkler system had activated, helping control the fire prior to the department’s arrival, according to officials.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
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Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Another chart provides a clue to the massive error in revenue projections by Newsom’s budget staff in 2022 which sparked the spending surge.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
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The first meeting, held at a Chinese restaurant in Lima on December 26, sparked controversy after images showed the president entering the establishment wearing a hood.—
CNN staff,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Molecular motion drives repair In earlier animal studies, a single injection 24 hours after severe injury enabled mice to regain the ability to walk within weeks.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management advised the public to secure loose outdoor items, watch for falling branches, and use caution while driving or walking.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jordan Sousa dazzled with six goals and three assists, pairing with Timmy O’Malley (hat trick, three assists) to power Hudson to an 11-0 Mid-Wach win over Gardner.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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London served as the central intelligence hub, responsible for developing the AI systems and Vision-Language-Action (VLA) frameworks that power the robot’s cognition.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Crank (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crank%20%28up%29. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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