1
2
as in chokes
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 deciphers
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 knocks
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 solves
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 crazes
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 fissures
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 blows
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 claps
a loud explosive sound
the tree fell with a sharp crack
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in jokes
something said or done to cause laughter
a whispered crack made the whole back row start laughing
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in eccentrics
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of cracks
Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Anthony cracks Top 50 Roman Anthony only has 71 big league games under his belt, but the promising Red Sox outfielder is already earning widespread acclaim from across the sport.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Surveying a roomful of merrymakers during my visit, amid noise that could be an OSHA violation, Rodrigue cracks a small smile.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2026
To make matters even more complicated, the one who cracks the case will receive a promotion.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
The chef’s signature uovo poche craccante may sound basic, but only a master of the culinary arts can poach an egg to perfection then wrap it in a thin coat that cracks like the top of a creme brulée.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026
Chowdhury says that there is a growing cadre in government and industry who have bought into the hype around humanoids and believe that the world economy will be dominated by whoever cracks the problem first.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The gruesome mayhem continues as another family member slips on some small toy cars left on the floor and cracks his head open on the corner of a piano.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 21 Dec. 2025
Whether this Netflix acquisition cracks the Best Picture lineup a year after its filmmakers’ previous effort, Sing Sing, did not, will be a telling indication of the state of the American indie.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Margaret Littman, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
These common cracks are less than one millimeter in width and can go in any direction; hairline cracks can happen after temperature and humidity fluctuations and as a home settles.
—Jessica Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Don’t forget to wipe the cracks in the detail of your doors.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
But even on state TV -- long a bastion of pro-government propaganda and ideological control -- cracks have started to appear.
—Egina Garcia Cano, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Whether Saturday night’s team figure skating men’s short program exposed cracks in Ilia Malinin’s invincibility or whether the sport’s self-proclaimed Quad God was simply saving his superpowers for later in the Games remains to be seen.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
Fewer things will fall through the cracks.
—David Heacock, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
This causes cracks and booming sounds.
—Tammie Souza, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
The Institute for Postnatural Studies seeks out the cracks in traditional institutional authority to redesign knowledge.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
That is what literally cracks open everything.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Anthony cracks Top 50 Roman Anthony only has 71 big league games under his belt, but the promising Red Sox outfielder is already earning widespread acclaim from across the sport.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Surveying a roomful of merrymakers during my visit, amid noise that could be an OSHA violation, Rodrigue cracks a small smile.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2026
To make matters even more complicated, the one who cracks the case will receive a promotion.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
The chef’s signature uovo poche craccante may sound basic, but only a master of the culinary arts can poach an egg to perfection then wrap it in a thin coat that cracks like the top of a creme brulée.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026
Chowdhury says that there is a growing cadre in government and industry who have bought into the hype around humanoids and believe that the world economy will be dominated by whoever cracks the problem first.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The gruesome mayhem continues as another family member slips on some small toy cars left on the floor and cracks his head open on the corner of a piano.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 21 Dec. 2025
Whether this Netflix acquisition cracks the Best Picture lineup a year after its filmmakers’ previous effort, Sing Sing, did not, will be a telling indication of the state of the American indie.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
Wood cracks, finish peels, and the sounds of the instruments can change forever.
—Margaret Littman, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
These common cracks are less than one millimeter in width and can go in any direction; hairline cracks can happen after temperature and humidity fluctuations and as a home settles.
—Jessica Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Don’t forget to wipe the cracks in the detail of your doors.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
But even on state TV -- long a bastion of pro-government propaganda and ideological control -- cracks have started to appear.
—Egina Garcia Cano, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Whether Saturday night’s team figure skating men’s short program exposed cracks in Ilia Malinin’s invincibility or whether the sport’s self-proclaimed Quad God was simply saving his superpowers for later in the Games remains to be seen.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
Fewer things will fall through the cracks.
—David Heacock, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
This causes cracks and booming sounds.
—Tammie Souza, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
The Institute for Postnatural Studies seeks out the cracks in traditional institutional authority to redesign knowledge.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks
Verb
-
Now former Roots and Black Swan chef Charlie Smith heads up the kitchen, although Tommy often pops in for lunch.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Just walking the sidewalk at Madison Children's Museum is full of surprises—artwork pops up spontaneously through the windows for a one-of-a-kind experience every time.—
Elena Donovan Mauer,
Parents,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This determines whether Precinct 4 thrives or chokes on its own growth.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Bond chokes Blofeld, who quickly dies from the virus.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Qualcomm’s chip can run Linux, along with Arduino software, and can even do computer vision, which deciphers what a camera sees and translates it into software.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
-
With that base knowledge and his opponent’s game tape, Nolan analyzes wide receiver alignments and deciphers the offense's attack.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Opportunity knocks on software stocks, including Microsoft (MSFT), Salesforce (CRM), and ServiceNow (NOW), which all got slammed in Thursday's trading amid pressure on the software sector ETF (IGV) from artificial intelligence (AI) disruption concerns.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Julio Cesar Chavez suffers his first loss in 91 fights when Frankie Randall knocks him down in the 11th round and wins the WBC super lightweight championship on a split decision.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Interestingly, this led to the creation of a lightweight, solid material that solves a major recycling headache of mattresses.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The inspiring monkey brain Theilman and Aimone assert that the brain routinely solves similar problems.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Much like previous financial crazes around meme stocks and NFTs, true believers view prediction markets through a stick-it-to-the-man prism.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Check out some of the most instantly recognizable ‘90s teen hallmarks, including the most popular bedroom furniture, beauty products, and fashion crazes.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Rupert Wyatt, the filmmaker behind Rise of the Planet of the Apes, was at the helm, exiting and returning to the project amid creative fissures.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Ice crystals—usually a hazard to vegetables—create small fissures in the surface.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Cheap drinks soften emotional blows.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But researchers worry that repeated, less dramatic blows, such as heading the ball, can also have long-term effects; there is evidence that players who regularly head the ball are at greater risk of dementia than those, such as goalkeepers, who do not.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracks. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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