1
as in eccentrics
a person of odd or whimsical habits
she's a bit of a crank, but still a good-hearted person
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crabs
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 whims
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 cranks
David Browne, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
In what was once the typesetting room of the Miami Daily News, later called the Miami News, large scrolls of clippings can be viewed by visitors using hand cranks that mimic a newspaper rolling off the press.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Framed as cranks more than reasonable critics, the #FSGOut contingent have penetrated rather than defined the conversation around Liverpool since FSG took control in late 2010.
—Simon Hughes, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Plus, the human longevity field is notorious for cranks, unproven supplements and fly-by-night clinics.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
For Southern rock, the Allman Brothers Band’s Live at Fillmore East or Lynyrd Skynyrd’s One More from the Road were must-cranks.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
In what was once the typesetting room of the Miami Daily News, later called the Miami News, large scrolls of clippings can be viewed by visitors using hand cranks that mimic a newspaper rolling off the press.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Framed as cranks more than reasonable critics, the #FSGOut contingent have penetrated rather than defined the conversation around Liverpool since FSG took control in late 2010.
—Simon Hughes, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Plus, the human longevity field is notorious for cranks, unproven supplements and fly-by-night clinics.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cranks
Noun
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For Mimi Pond, the desire to do a book about the Mitford sisters – six larger-than-life British eccentrics (and one brother) who created a stir in both British and American culture – was obvious.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
5 Sep. 2025
-
For decades, sovereign citizens largely flew under the radar in Australia as relatively harmless eccentrics with a special interest in conspiracy theories.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Warm water may push adult crabs deeper as well.—
Bill Kearney,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Who’s going to climb over all the other crabs and inevitably kill them in order to survive?—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These were not just silly geographical whims, Jessica Winter pointed out at the time.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The Fed’s independence has been central to the United States’ role as the globe’s preeminent economic power; investors worldwide believe the central bank won’t act on a president’s whims.—
Jackie Calmes,
Mercury News,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Rather, the Mediterranean diet simply underscores that the majority of your plate consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes, Goldstein says.—
Caroline C. Boyle,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Don’t want nuts but still want the crunch?—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Recognize Quieter Customers Celebrate the non-complainers.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Harry's uncompromising, one sided view of notions like truth, lies and accountability may sound warning sirens about whether reconciliation is possible in the long-term.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
This was Maxwell’s (classical) theory for electromagnetism, putting the previously distinct notions of electricity and magnetism together into a unified footing.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And this party is going to be grand indeed, molded to Hedda’s particular taste as possible — less flowers, more champagne — and kitted out with a guest list that proves more bizarre as the night winds on.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Zermatt is a pollution-free alpine escape, accessible via a scenic train that winds its way up through the mountains.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Expect scenic views of the park’s signature Cathedral Group, plus the chance to glimpse wildlife on land, such as bears and deer.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
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Hyperphagic bears travel great distances and can spend up to 20 hours per day hunting for food, according to the NCWRC.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cranks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cranks. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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