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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Recent Examples of cracks
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Apr. 2026
The deal cracks the seven figures, to be split by the writers.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
There is a $100,000 reward for information that cracks the case.
—Michael Ruiz , Amanda MacIas, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Saodimallsu Women's Button-Down Cardigan Sweater My 15-year-old is currently big into cardigans, which cracks me up a little because my signature look at 15 also happened to be cardigan sweaters.
—Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
Come tipoff, Mark Jones cracks jokes in play-by-play coverage, alongside network partners Richard Jefferson and Monica McNutt.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
None of the 43 million student loan borrowers in this country should fall through the cracks.
—Richard Cordray, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Eventually, many believers find cracks in the fantasy that conspiracy theories provide.
—Mike Rothschild, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
The concrete cap of a tomb encasing radioactive fallout now has cracks, and what’s beneath can rise from the dead.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026
But thousands of children may still fall through the cracks simply because their state has not yet implemented the full screening panel.
—Nicole Kruegel, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Engineers concluded that a different entry trajectory, one with an initial dip into the upper atmosphere followed by a shorter-duration climb back out, would allow the outer char layer to erode and burn away more evenly without creating damaging cracks and pressure buildups.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Students with disabilities could fall through the cracks For many children, schools are the first point of contact with public services such as nutrition programs, healthcare, language learning and counseling.
—Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
The idea of books slipping through the cracks and remaining undiscovered keeps me up at night.
—Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
But this celebration of the joys (and practical value) of gardening is also laced with comedy, as Galifianakis cracks plenty of jokes with the experts and kids joining him amongst the greenery.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Apr. 2026
The deal cracks the seven figures, to be split by the writers.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
There is a $100,000 reward for information that cracks the case.
—Michael Ruiz , Amanda MacIas, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Saodimallsu Women's Button-Down Cardigan Sweater My 15-year-old is currently big into cardigans, which cracks me up a little because my signature look at 15 also happened to be cardigan sweaters.
—Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
Come tipoff, Mark Jones cracks jokes in play-by-play coverage, alongside network partners Richard Jefferson and Monica McNutt.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
Self-healing concrete fits in well with ideas around sensor technology and digital twins – in which cracks in a structure could serve as a warning of damage and then repair themselves, needing little more than periodic checking.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
None of the 43 million student loan borrowers in this country should fall through the cracks.
—Richard Cordray, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Eventually, many believers find cracks in the fantasy that conspiracy theories provide.
—Mike Rothschild, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
The concrete cap of a tomb encasing radioactive fallout now has cracks, and what’s beneath can rise from the dead.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026
But thousands of children may still fall through the cracks simply because their state has not yet implemented the full screening panel.
—Nicole Kruegel, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Engineers concluded that a different entry trajectory, one with an initial dip into the upper atmosphere followed by a shorter-duration climb back out, would allow the outer char layer to erode and burn away more evenly without creating damaging cracks and pressure buildups.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Students with disabilities could fall through the cracks For many children, schools are the first point of contact with public services such as nutrition programs, healthcare, language learning and counseling.
—Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
The idea of books slipping through the cracks and remaining undiscovered keeps me up at night.
—Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks
Verb
-
The robotic characters break free from their restaurant resting place to cause chaos in town, while the villainous Marionette pops up to possess victims for her own nefarious purposes.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
There’s a sturdiness to his game that pops right away, and that usually gets teams’ attention.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Like other invasive plants, stinknet chokes native plants and increases fire risk.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
With fuel and freight prices skyrocketing as war chokes the Strait of Hormuz, the Panama Canal is seeing more business than usual.—
Elizabeth González,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 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
-
Guzman knocks on the door, then goes behind a pillar.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
It’s packed with anti-theft features Other than an accident (*knocks on wood*), my biggest fear is walking outside to find my expensive e-bike stolen.—
Erica Zazo,
Outside,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That oxygen supply solves a long-standing problem in the field.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The lead character, Jack Reacher, is a former military policeman who solves crimes as a vigilante.—
Austin Mullen,
NBC news,
24 Mar. 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
-
Cracks and fissures are being monitored on several walls, ceilings and facades throughout the hall.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Miles and Ed are coming at the challenges of Mars-Earth relations and Marsie autonomy from totally different angles, and there are clearly fissures within SDM itself.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Shesterkin’s first thought was about how big the 6-foot-6 Markström was, but the smaller goalie still managed to land the majority of the blows.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Parks turned into deserts, great skyscrapers leveled by blows from the tails of the monsters, and the entire population threatened in the panic and pestilence that followed the invasion.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracks. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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