creak 1 of 2

noun

Definition of creaknext
as in scratch
a harsh grating sound the creak of a floorboard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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creak

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to groan

Related Words
2
as in to squeak

Related Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of creak
Noun
Your baby was waking at every creak of the floorboard, every passing car, every branch scraping the window. — Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026 Finally, John creaks open the Archives in Arlington to remember Nelson Cruz's history-making start to the 2011 season and his complicated Rangers legacy. — Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Economic growth is anemic, taxes are high, public services are creaking and successive governments have been unable to stem the flow of migrants who wash up on the English Channel coast in inflatable boats. — Danica Kirka, Fortune, 22 June 2026 The heavy metal doors creak as Faye, the regional health official, opens them. — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for creak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creak
  1. scratch
  2. groan
  3. squeak
  4. scrape
  5. whine
  6. crackle
  7. rasp
  8. moan
Noun
  • Nevertheless, even pre-training the AI takes considerably less time than rendering each frame by scratch, as was the case with Toy Story, or filming from scratch as happened with Moana.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The boy sustained ruptured blood vessels in his left eye, a scratch on his face between his eyes and swelling and bruising on the side of his face, the affidavit said.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
Definition of scratch
Verb
  • Soon Massachusetts society was groaning under the burden of these hordes of foreign freeloaders.
    — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026
  • Despite the lack of goals, the game was exciting with end-to-end runs and missed chances that left fans of both teams groaning and burying their heads in their hands.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of groan
Verb
  • This time, with respected Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, the Seleção squeaked past Japan in the round of 32 before losing to Norway, a nation that had never reached the quarterfinals.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • But the solar and battery storage project on Ute Mountain Ute land squeaked through.
    — Adam Burke, NPR, 6 July 2026
Definition of squeak
Noun
  • The agency also recommends those at higher risk for infection wear water shoes or clothes in coastal water to prevent cuts and scrapes.
    — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2026
  • Three people were in the silver Chevrolet truck, and all managed to escape with minor cuts and scrapes, the sheriff’s office said.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Definition of scrape
Verb
  • The snippet ends just as the cat whines and tucks its head beneath the barrier, not far from the officer filming the scene.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
  • After a few casts, Rubye’s rod bent, and the reel whined as line spooled out.
    — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
Definition of whine
Verb
  • Any greater eroticism is largely kept off screen, but such scenes crackle with sensual possibility.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 July 2026
  • There are people in the Bowie House bar sipping whiskey and having a heart to heart, there are people playing pool in the Billet Room, and there are couples enjoying an intimate moment in the Mulberry Room while the fire crackles in the background.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 July 2026
Definition of crackle
Noun
  • Like Dijon, svn4vr uses a dexterous, soulful rasp to fight for emotional truth from within songs that occupy shifting senses of space and bear the seams of digital assembly.
    — H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Deep and smoky with impressive control and just a touch of Etta James rasp, Spiro’s is a voice not so much influenced by jazz legends like Winehouse or Nina Simone but rather a direct descendant.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of rasp
Verb
  • Swinging his hips, moaning into the mic and briefly getting promiscuous with a mic stand was the authenticity that the majority-millennial crowd expected.
    — Sophie Lindberg July 11, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
  • Federal officers stand over a man with a bloody shirt who is handcuffed face down, moaning in pain as his left foot shakes.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of moan

Phrases Containing creak

Browse Nearby Words

crazy quilts
creak
creak (along)
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Cite this Entry

“Creak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creak. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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