cranking (up)

verb

present participle of crank (up)
as in triggering
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 cranking (up)
  1. triggering
  2. activating
  3. sparking
  4. driving
  5. setting off
  6. turning on
  7. touching off
Verb
  • The country must therefore eliminate schemes, such as a kickback scheme at the state nuclear operator exposed in November 2025, that are unrelated to defense spending but capable of triggering major corruption scandals.
    — Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Deep underground, groundwater comes into direct contact with iron-rich minerals such as olivine, triggering a chemical reaction called serpentinization.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of triggering
Verb
  • Hawaii officials had told residents to put together emergency kits, and the governor issued an emergency proclamation, activating more than 230 Hawaii National Guard members.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Given Serra’s representation of Shift, the work is both an object in time and a device for activating time as a correlative of space.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of activating
Verb
  • Ukrainian forces have repeatedly attacked refineries from Moscow to Siberia, sparking a widespread fuel crisis in Russia earlier this year that forced authorities to restrict gasoline sales.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The moves are sparking concern on both sides of the Atlantic, while stock markets continue to watch uneasily.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of sparking
Verb
  • In the employer market, more recent data suggest the volumes of prescriptions — which are proprietary — are driving up spending more than prices, although prices are still a factor.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • When the Vikings regained possession Minnesota gobbled up the clock, driving the ball to the 2-yard line before ending the game with the victory formation.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of driving
Verb
  • There are the now-traditional scenes in which Carrie learns to consciously control her telekinetic superpowers, previously manifested by accidentally setting off car alarms, opening mailboxes and causing a rain of rocks on her parents’ roof.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht, who was 12-for-29 passing for 129 yards and an interception, tossed a final deep ball out of the back of the end zone as time expired, setting off a celebration by Wisconsin defenders.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of setting off
Verb
  • Virginia, your story uses dark humor to manipulate readers into sympathizing with Winifred before turning on them.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
  • 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
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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cranking (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cranking%20%28up%29. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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