as in excellent
of the very best kind
a writer renowned for her cracking tales of mystery and suspense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in extremely
to a great degree
tells a cracking good tale of a search for a lost city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in popping
to break suddenly with an explosive sound
the tree branch unexpectedly cracked under our weight
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in choking
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 deciphering
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 knocking
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 solving
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 bothering
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cracking
SI.com, 28 Oct. 2019
His fortunes finally turned back Wednesday, when van Garderen laid down a cracking time trial at the Tour of California.
—sacbee, 16 May 2018
Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
This early moment in mid-February belongs to Benge, the 23-year-old hotshot prospect who has a chance at cracking the Mets’ roster.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Small ran home to grab blankets and pillows, and Pangle slept in the cold club, running multiple space heaters — several for the grand piano, one for him — to keep the instrument from cracking.
—Margaret Littman, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
That can generate low or moderate popping and cracking noises in floors, HVAC ducts and pipes.
—Jessica Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Replace any old, cracking wood cutting boards with this extra-large option that’s now half off.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
During my sailing, the chefs did open-air barbecues on two nights, working with Big Green Egg grills on the top deck, grilling fresh Atlantic prawns and tender steaks, and also cracking open fresh oysters.
—Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Savannah Guthrie was emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking.
—Jacques Billeaud, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Trust that whatever is cracking open now is making room for a more authentic version of you to emerge.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Another uninspired performance coupled with a a heavy defeat may well spell the end for the Basque manager at the Emirates, so this fixture should have plenty of undertones and be a cracking game of football.
—SI.com, 28 Oct. 2019
His fortunes finally turned back Wednesday, when van Garderen laid down a cracking time trial at the Tour of California.
—sacbee, 16 May 2018
Verb
At the end of a long day, taking inventory of the fridge, cracking a cookbook open, or running out to the grocery store in order to figure out a dinner plan can seem overwhelming.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
This early moment in mid-February belongs to Benge, the 23-year-old hotshot prospect who has a chance at cracking the Mets’ roster.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Small ran home to grab blankets and pillows, and Pangle slept in the cold club, running multiple space heaters — several for the grand piano, one for him — to keep the instrument from cracking.
—Margaret Littman, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
That can generate low or moderate popping and cracking noises in floors, HVAC ducts and pipes.
—Jessica Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Replace any old, cracking wood cutting boards with this extra-large option that’s now half off.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
During my sailing, the chefs did open-air barbecues on two nights, working with Big Green Egg grills on the top deck, grilling fresh Atlantic prawns and tender steaks, and also cracking open fresh oysters.
—Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Savannah Guthrie was emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking.
—Jacques Billeaud, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Trust that whatever is cracking open now is making room for a more authentic version of you to emerge.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracking
Adjective
-
Six solid to excellent major leaguers, two average ones and 11 busts.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Use Dryer Balls to Keep Sheets Separated Dryer balls are an excellent tool for combating tangled sheets.—
Anyssa Roberts,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Perhaps, on extremely long timescales, those heavier elements will sink to the center of the core, producing an inert center that slows the rate of fusion even further.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Even in hockey – a sport that is extremely popular around the world – there are terms used by commentators or pundits that you might not be accustomed to hearing if not a regular to the sport.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For nearly 50 years, Cort worked steadily in Hollywood, popping up in films by Robert Altman and Wes Anderson, as well as a variety of television shows.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Just looking out the window or listening to the burners rolling full-blast in your furnace can be the tell-tale sign that a potentially eye-popping bill is on the way.—
John Shumway,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The characteristics and size of the small starch clumps could constitute a choking hazard, said Mondelez Global, which owns the brand, particularly in young children and the elderly.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Check your cookie stash for Chips Ahoy products that could contain a choking hazard.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Health care professionals are now caught between deciphering new legislation and their duty to provide quality care.—
Eleanor Sobel,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
As an avalanche and dead bodies ratchet up the suspense, Zach must lean on his mother’s wisdom to fight for his life while deciphering a confusing undercurrent of danger, violence and betrayal among the survivors.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Buzelis was still suspended midair when Collin Sexton backpedaled underneath the forward, knocking his legs backward to send the younger player crashing to the floor, stomach-first.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
That's when Palmer punched Simpson in the mouth, knocking him to the floor, court records say.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The research team focused on solving this problem at the hardware level rather than relying only on software improvements.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Implicit learning uses different parts of the brain than solving problems or understanding the meanings of words, Albert said.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One Florida resident reportedly hired a local mover without bothering to determine if the company was licensed, only to run into a boatload of trouble.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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