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
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 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
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
When a piano tuner’s extraordinary hearing reveals a knack for cracking safes, his quiet New York routine gives way to a risky life of crime—just as the possibility of love suggests another future.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
Wednesday's news begins with a major Supreme Court debate on birthright citizenship, a space launch toward the moon and a rib-cracking plastic surgery trend.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
In the fresh concrete, the white beads were visible, but no leaching of the nutrient was seen until cracking.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
Now cosmologists in the international Collaboration for Observations, Models and Predictions of Anomalies and Cosmic Topology (COMPACT) have pushed, and the tidy picture is cracking.
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
Dear Members, Coop governance is cracking.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Cole checked another significant box on March 17, cracking 98 mph in his first start since the surgery.
—Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
The Wolverines responded by cracking triple digits in Thursday’s NCAA Tournament opener.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Mar. 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
Okay, well, can someone get cracking on this?
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
When a piano tuner’s extraordinary hearing reveals a knack for cracking safes, his quiet New York routine gives way to a risky life of crime—just as the possibility of love suggests another future.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
Wednesday's news begins with a major Supreme Court debate on birthright citizenship, a space launch toward the moon and a rib-cracking plastic surgery trend.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
In the fresh concrete, the white beads were visible, but no leaching of the nutrient was seen until cracking.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
Now cosmologists in the international Collaboration for Observations, Models and Predictions of Anomalies and Cosmic Topology (COMPACT) have pushed, and the tidy picture is cracking.
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
Dear Members, Coop governance is cracking.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Cole checked another significant box on March 17, cracking 98 mph in his first start since the surgery.
—Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
The Wolverines responded by cracking triple digits in Thursday’s NCAA Tournament opener.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracking
Adjective
-
Apple has somehow emerged from the global hardware shortage as a value buy, with its MacBook Neo offering an excellent modern computing experience for a mere $600.—
Jon Martindale,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Harbor locals should boast that one of the county’s singularly excellent pizzerias is in their backyard.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
That can be attributed to the fact that Rolex models were already highly valued in 2018 and were also in extremely high demand during the pandemic.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Almost all natural bodies of water bear fish life, with the exception of very hot thermal ponds and extremely salt-alkaline lakes, such as the Dead Sea in Asia and the Great Salt Lake in North America.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Bronx natives say popping up in the bodega was the natural choice.—
Jessi Roti,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Bodnar said popping noises lasted for about 90 seconds.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The pair have been in physical altercations in the past, including Manning's 2012 arrest for allegedly punching, scratching, kicking and choking Hartman – whom media outlets have referred to as Manning's former make-up artist and assistant – and slamming her head against the floor and wall.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The man alerted jail deputies that his cellmate, 35-year-old Vincent Chacon, was choking and needed help in the early morning of June 30, according to a probable cause affidavit.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The clicks are part of a growing sperm whale phonetic alphabet that researchers at CETI are deciphering.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
26 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
-
Those of us not actually knocking hung back in the stairwell; even so, some residents were hesitant to engage.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In the fall, residents learn about the process through public service announcements, local media, door-knocking outreach or word of mouth.—
Celina Su,
The Conversation,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The action to rescue her falls eventually to Mario and Luigi, having relocated permanently to the Mushroom Kingdom and serving as protectors of the realm, solving problems for its inhabitants.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The team is solving a case that could save their agency.—
Ronda Racha Penrice,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Why are two players whose college careers, at the moment, are over bothering to put their names out there for other programs to see?—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Throughout the day, jot down any worries that are bothering you, particularly the ones that keep popping up.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
