CRANK (UP) Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

crank (up)

verb

Definition of crank (up)

as in to trigger

to cause to function crank up the CD player so we can dance

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for crank (up)

Verb

The Knicks won their first NBA championship since 1973 in June but owner James Dolan said shortly afterward the team would avoid spending enough to trigger the penalties that come when a team reaches the second apron of the salary cap.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
These primitive instincts are highly attuned to potential danger and are often triggered before our conscious mind registers that something isn’t right.

— Georgia Casey, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of trigger

Verb

Users can speak to HomeView to control smart home devices, such as, for example, telling Siri to close the smart blinds or activate smart locks.

— Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026
Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $180.

— Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of activate

Verb

These viruses infect diverse deep-sea prokaryotes that drive vital cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and metals.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
The benefits of space exploration extend well beyond the Moon, potentially driving advances in energy storage, electric vehicles and other technologies on Earth.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of drive

Verb

The buildout of artificial intelligence is driving investment in advanced semiconductors, servers and the sprawling data centers needed to power the technology.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Nuclear fusion attempts to copy the physical reactions that power the sun.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of power

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.

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cranks (up)

crank (up)

cranky

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“Crank (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crank%20%28up%29. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of crank (up)

verb

Example Sentences

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