hacker

noun

ˈha-kər How to pronounce hacker (audio)
Definition of hackernext
1
as in cracker
a person who illegally gains access to a computer system and sometimes tampers with its information the company's security experts spent days trying to figure out how a hacker could have gotten past the firewall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in amateur
a person who lacks experience and competence in an art or science weekend golf hackers who are there mainly for the social networking

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 hacker Without Secure Boot, attackers with brief physical access to a device—even when it’s turned off—can install bootkits similar to LoJax used by Russia state hackers in 2018, MosaicRegressor found in 2020, CosmicStrand in 2022, and BlackLotus in 2023. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026 Where data broker profiles get your information Most people assume data brokers get information the same way hackers do, through breaches, weak passwords or phishing links. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026 The reveal came as part of a story about Microsoft helping law enforcement find and arrest a 19-year-old hacker who was part of the Scattered Spider hacking group, which has been responsible for several high-profile attacks. — Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 10 July 2026 Wired journalists Noah Shachtman and Maddy Varner combed through Madison Square Garden documents that were published last month by the criminal hacker collective ShinyHunters and first covered by 404 Media. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hacker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hacker
  1. cyberpunk
  2. amateur
  3. geek
  4. kid
  5. beginner
  6. hack
  7. novice
Noun
  • Cyberpunk is the best known of all, assuming itself as an antithesis of utopian visions of science fiction worlds and simultaneously as a space of dystopias in which the cyberpunk fights against artificial intelligence that controls the world.
    — Paulo Nuno VicenteAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
  • Many are financed through crowdfunding, with subscribers garnering exclusive perks, and embrace subtitles and alternate audio (a series like the Japanese cyberpunk Milky Subway is dubbed in 10 different languages).
    — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of cyberpunk
Noun
  • Kadiru was a surprise opponent, arguably best known for winning a Youth Olympics gold medal as a 17-year-old amateur in 2014.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
  • This summer, attendance grew to more than 500, most of them beginners or amateur climbers.
    — Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of amateur
Noun
  • The weekend-afternoon sales events became a phenomenon, drawing crowds to marvel at his wide-ranging tastes — not just hardcore music geeks or bibliophiles, but appreciators of New York cultural lore.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2026
  • By now, however, most know him as the lovable, cello-playing geek Leonard Hofstadter who married the pretty blonde waitress.
    — Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026
Definition of geek
Noun
  • For older kids who have trouble adjusting to the demands on the school year, plenty of time to wind down after school and a predictable morning routine are key.
    — Parents, Parents, 17 July 2026
  • That said, this probably won’t be even faintly legible on a home entertainment system, let alone the handheld gadgets that kids like the ones seen here prefer to watch entertainment on these days.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2026
Definition of kid
Noun
  • Float down the Barren Fork River with beginner-friendly kayak rentals, then relax at the 8-acre pet-friendly campground featuring tent sites, RV hookups, and rental campers.
    — Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, the Summer Triangle — formed by Vega, Deneb and Altair — hangs almost overhead during the darkest hours, making this one of the easiest seasonal star patterns for beginners to learn.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of beginner
Noun
  • Experts have been warning that AI agents are quickly becoming capable enough to carry these sorts of autonomous attacks—but the Hugging Face hack appears to be among the first real world examples.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 20 July 2026
  • From fast-track security to game-changing wellness hacks, the new Priority Pass+ app promises to improve every airport trip.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 July 2026
Definition of hack
Noun
  • Haaland has become a social media phenomenon, with his own posts and memes from others turning even soccer novices into diehard fans.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 13 July 2026
  • The last death at San Fermin's bull runs occurred in 2009, but gorings and broken bones are common, partly due to the large number of novice bull runners and foreign tourists who join the experienced locals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Definition of novice

Browse Nearby Words

hacked (off)
hacker
hackers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hacker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hacker. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hacker

Nglish: Translation of hacker for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hacker

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