CRANKING (UP) Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

cranking (up)

verb

present participle of crank (up)

as in triggering

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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for cranking (up)

Verb

Adidas recently was informed of UM’s agreement with Nike, triggering a short right-to-match period.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
So are the mechanisms for triggering a video review, and so are the reviewable plays.

— Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of triggering

Verb

This has included pumping water from the Sea of Galilee, activating groundwater wells and using national water reserves.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
The Athletic reported on Sunday that Mateta was in dispute with Palace over the final year of his contract, which is set to expire next summer, with Palace activating an option to extend his deal by a further year last December.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of activating

Verb

These are proactive, temporary electricity shutoffs to prevent high-voltage power lines and equipment from sparking wildfires during red flag weather conditions.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
In July, ChatGPT-maker OpenAI announced that its AI agents hacked into the company Hugging Face, sparking concern among cybersecurity experts as well as consumers.

— Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of sparking

Verb

After driving for a touchdown on their opening drive, the Wolverines didn’t score again until Buchanan snagged Underwood’s pass amid a crowd of defenders in the end zone.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Yet too many adults focus on winning and chasing college scholarships, driving up the costs for families and pressure on children to specialize in one sport and succeed.

— Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of driving

Verb

Iran’s decision to send the flight to Sanaa in July, setting off the current Houthi escalation, suggests the many ways that Tehran can stoke the Yemen conflict for its own ends.

— April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026
Five seasons ago, Donald made the game-clinching play in the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, setting off a wild celebration in their home stadium.

— Michael Silver, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of setting off

Verb

One possible hypothesis comes in the prologue, set on June 9, 1956, turning on Police Commissioner Folcada, which suggests the terrible impunity of power.

— Roberto Prieto, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
But there’s nothing better than a little kid opening his gift and then turning on the TV watching the NBA games.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of turning on

Verb

The university prepared to wash its hands of this important part of its legacy, touching off a furious backlash.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
With two minutes left in the period, Parayko ran Yurov into the boards from behind, touching off a fight between the Blues’ defenseman and Trenin.

— Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 14 Apr. 2026

Definition of touching off

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.

Browse Nearby Words

cranking out

cranking (up)

crankish

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“Cranking (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cranking%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of cranking (up)

verb

Example Sentences

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