CRANKS (UP) Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

cranks (up)

verb

present tense third-person singular of crank (up)

as in triggers

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cranks (up)

Verb

The stutter, in this case, provides a sudden stimulus that triggers the ’keeper to commit to going in a certain direction early, which can then be exploited with a shot sent the other way.

— Geir Jordet, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Many scientists believe that amyloid buildup eventually triggers an abnormal form of tau to form tangles in neurons, setting off symptoms.

— Lauran Neergaard, Fortune, 14 July 2026

Definition of triggers

Verb

The emergency declaration activates the state agriculture department’s relief resources to help farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses recover.

— Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Argentina fans, meanwhile, are unique in all sports—other countries have fan bases that get loud, but a stadium full of Argentineans activates something primordial.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026

Definition of activates

Verb

Their fundamentalist, literal understanding of the Bible is one that drives them to take bigger, bolder actions to affirm their belief that the United States is a Christian nation.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Intentional planning drives better long-term outcomes than an approach prioritizing speed.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of drives

Verb

Researchers are adapting the magnetron—the same component that powers microwave ovens—to provide the 10 megawatts of power required for ADS.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
How Wisconsin's solar battery park powers 130,000 homes The Paris Solar farm began producing power in December 2024 and generates 200 megawatts of renewable electricity during the day.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025

Definition of powers

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

cranks out

cranks (up)

crank (up)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cranks (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cranks%20%28up%29. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cranks (up)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

accentuate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes