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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for cranks (up)

Verb

Eating triggers saliva production, but a stone can keep the saliva from draining, causing the gland to swell.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Before enrollment, people volunteering for the study would be screened for early signs of cancer because TB-4 triggers vessel growth and cell migration, which might exacerbate malignant growths.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of triggers

Verb

The agency rejected the recommendation, saying that using cameras that automatically activate when an officer pulls their weapon or activates a car siren could risk privacy concerns.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
And a few are very highly specific, such as the protease that activates insulin, which only cuts near a very specific series of amino acids.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of activates

Verb

Nothing sparks joy and jumpstarts the Christmas season like a food advent calendar.

— Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
This one, steeped in milk and cream, sparks off the roof of your mouth with a gentle chile burn and the pleasantly numbing zap of cloves.

— Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of sparks

Verb

The ability for employees to find the best opportunities for themselves and for employers to find the best candidates for the job help to drive innovation, which drives productivity, which drives growth, Richardson has said.

— Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Oscar drives her home and, paralyzed by the situation, leaves her unconscious at her family’s door.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 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

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cranks out

cranks (up)

crank (up)

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

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Synonyms of cranks (up)

verb

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