1
2
as in to choke
to yield to mental or emotional stress
after hours of tough questioning the suspect finally cracked and blurted out a confession
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to decipher
to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language
the United States military used the Navajo language as a code during World War II, and the enemy never cracked it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to knock
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
cracked the bow of the ship with a champagne bottle
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning
I've been mulling this riddle, but I just can't crack it
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to bother
to cause to go insane or as if insane
cracked by years in solitary confinement, the prisoner could only maunder incoherently
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fissure
an irregular usually narrow break in a surface created by pressure
a pebble struck the car's windshield and left a spidery crack in it
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
a disciplinary crack on the hand with a ruler was once common in schoolrooms
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in bang
a loud explosive sound
the tree fell with a sharp crack
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
a whispered crack made the whole back row start laughing
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in nut
a person of odd or whimsical habits
that conspiracy theorist has been labeled a crack by the ballistics experts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in skilled
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
known as one of the college's crack tennis players
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of crack
Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
The enamel is also chip- and crack-resistant.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, survivors who were homeless, unbanked, or too burdened by compounding challenges like disabilities or caregiving roles to apply for multiple types of assistance were falling through the cracks of public and private disaster programs, Huguenin said.
—ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack
Verb
Check the car Never leave children in a parked car -- even if windows are cracked open.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
The enamel is also chip- and crack-resistant.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
As Harper watched the ball fly to deep center field, the crowd erupted, knowing the game was tied off the crack of the bat.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, survivors who were homeless, unbanked, or too burdened by compounding challenges like disabilities or caregiving roles to apply for multiple types of assistance were falling through the cracks of public and private disaster programs, Huguenin said.
—ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack
Verb
-
The brush consistently delivers the right amount of product, creating noticeable length and definition that make my eyes pop.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
-
As the vast landscape spread out below, filled with roaming herds and golden hues, our guest popped the question—creating a moment both magical and unforgettable.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The artistic director, Massimiliano Gioni, has for years staged sprawling, mind-bending exhibitions inside a vault that choked them.—
Jerry Saltz,
Curbed,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war has choked global oil supply.—
Victor Ordonez,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Before diners are even seated, a quirky focal point is bound to elicit oohs and aahs, and many, many wandering eyes trying to decipher the meaning.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Binary neutron stars have long been considered the best bet for deciphering what lurks within.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Keane and his wife, Donna, were awake and about to go to bed when a powerful storm blew through their neighborhood and knocked a massive tree onto their home.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
During summer, El Niños tend to ramp up high-altitude wind shear over the Atlantic, knocking potential hurricanes off kilter.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Did the young Kay solve her cases badly all those years ago?—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Huang is optimistic about the power of AI, and believes agents are a critical building block on the road to solving some of humanity’s most complex questions.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But a few days before Sonya disappeared, something was bothering her, her mother said.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The sidewalk was bustling, but no one even bothered to rubberneck.—
Amanda Peet,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That tells you the kind of fissures that are there.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
-
But the 7th District has also exposed a fissure among the city’s left-leaning unions, as the CTU has backed Conyears-Ervin and contributed $72,500 to her state central committee fund.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The final blow came in the 70th minute with Sveindís Jónsdóttir’s run down the left flank, setting up Miahara Niehues, making a late run in the middle, for the finish.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Hot tools are big and bulky, and most hotels provide some sort of blow dryer.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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