CRANK (UP) Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

crank (up)

verb

Definition of crank (up)

as in to trigger

to cause to function crank up the CD player so we can dance

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for crank (up)

Verb

On Sunday, authorities said one man was arrested on Kefalonia on suspicion of having started a fire that spread quickly in the southeastern part of the island, triggering the evacuation of nearby villages.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Israel even went after Tehran’s own leaders – killing former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – in the hope of triggering regime change, which has so far failed.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of trigger

Verb

Running beta code comes at the consumer’s own risk; diving into the settings to activate features not specifically enabled by Apple will increase that risk.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Air defenses were activated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, according to state media.

— Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of activate

Verb

The massive influx of people, which totaled 70% of Ceuta’s resident population, sparked calls by local Spanish authorities for police and the army to establish order.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
In fact, this unassuming little coupe was the one car that sparked the global roadster boom of the early 1990s, when the MX-5’s huge popularity convinced European carmakers to create the Boxster, SLK, TT, Z3, MGF and Barchetta.

— Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of spark

Verb

To prevent speculation that drives up land price without actual construction, the zoning benefits would be granted only on submission of building-permit applications.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Real estate has always been driven by connections between buyers and sellers.

— Heartland MLS®, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026

Definition of drive

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cranks (up)

crank (up)

cranky

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“Crank (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crank%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of crank (up)

verb

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