1
as in eccentrics
a person of odd or whimsical habits
she's a bit of a crank, but still a good-hearted person
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crabs
an irritable and complaining person
he's always a crank until he has his morning coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in whims
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action
his endless and unpredictable cranks made spending time with him exhausting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cranks
ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026
The Republican Party embraced neoconservatism; Buchanan and his cohort were the stewards of an ideology for cranks.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
These ideas have thrived through generations of cranks and propagandists and are now omnipresent.
—Mike Rothschild, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
In 2018, the state legislature passed a law that outlawed the possession and sale of bump stocks, along with trigger cranks and devices that make the gun operate like an automatic weapon.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
But as with the dismantling of huge swaths of our research capacity, the original refusal to even consider this mRNA flu vaccine on what are obviously ideological grounds shows future potential for the FDA to affect a hell of a lot more people than just the cranks who agree with them.
—The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
Early locations had a giant clown head popping out of a square box on the roof, based on children’s jack-in-the-box toys, music boxes with cranks that, when turned, cause figures to pop out of their lids.
—Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026
But as with the dismantling of huge swaths of our research capacity, this refusal to even consider this mRNA flu vaccine on what are obviously ideological grounds is going to affect a hell of a lot more people than just the cranks who agree with them.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
There’s a cast of wanderers, visionaries, and itinerants, the self-educated and self-published, a long lineage of cranks and outcasts, mostly penurious, always opinionated, stretching away into the mists of pseudohistory.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
In any case, the TM-B defining feature is the software that sits between the cranks and the motor, shaping the whole cycling experience.
—ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026
The Republican Party embraced neoconservatism; Buchanan and his cohort were the stewards of an ideology for cranks.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
These ideas have thrived through generations of cranks and propagandists and are now omnipresent.
—Mike Rothschild, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
In 2018, the state legislature passed a law that outlawed the possession and sale of bump stocks, along with trigger cranks and devices that make the gun operate like an automatic weapon.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
But as with the dismantling of huge swaths of our research capacity, the original refusal to even consider this mRNA flu vaccine on what are obviously ideological grounds shows future potential for the FDA to affect a hell of a lot more people than just the cranks who agree with them.
—The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
Early locations had a giant clown head popping out of a square box on the roof, based on children’s jack-in-the-box toys, music boxes with cranks that, when turned, cause figures to pop out of their lids.
—Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026
But as with the dismantling of huge swaths of our research capacity, this refusal to even consider this mRNA flu vaccine on what are obviously ideological grounds is going to affect a hell of a lot more people than just the cranks who agree with them.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
There’s a cast of wanderers, visionaries, and itinerants, the self-educated and self-published, a long lineage of cranks and outcasts, mostly penurious, always opinionated, stretching away into the mists of pseudohistory.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cranks
Noun
-
Inbred eccentrics and bumbling detectives have populated the seaside villages of Bruno Dumont’s absurdist comedies.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
16 June 2026
-
But the film is really a tour of a pre-gentrified East Village, full of low-key bars and cafes, run-down apartments, eccentrics and struggling artists.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The small crabs and shrimp in the sargassum, which attract sea turtles and mahi mahi offshore, also can attract stingrays inshore.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
12 June 2026
-
All along the creek on both (sides) the crabs were moving.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
In fact, the right-wing media — which is closely tied to the whims of the White House — has been targeting Siebel Newsom for months.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
Democrats have publicly criticized the event, saying the president is spending money on personal whims rather than on the problems Americans are actually facing.—
Suzanne Nuyen,
NPR,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Visitors are typically brought by elevator to the uppermost exhibition level and then follow a broad, gently descending ramp that coils around a central void.—
Bridget Borgobello
May 30,
New Atlas,
30 May 2026
-
When startled, the snake coils its body into a figure-eight shape or raises its tail to mimic another head and confuse predators.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Tawny Port spends years in barrel, picking up notes of caramel, nuts, and toffee along the way.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Pairing them with a meal containing some fat, even avocado toast or yogurt with nuts, makes a real difference.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
However, the Lakers are complainers to begin with and have always gotten a favorable whistle.—
David Troy OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
The pervasive popularity of the show and its creator will be the reason the complainers have no voice.—
Rich Heldenfels,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Steven was very generous in his consideration of the notions that occurred to me.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
-
But with what seems like a Ripper copycat on the loose, everyone needs to put aside their preconceived notions and figure out what’s going on.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The boat ramp sits near a parking lot at the outer edge of a large peninsula, accessible by Joe Bald Road, which winds through several hundred acres of thick trees.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
-
Beyond Munich’s spring and fall festivals, a broader picture emerges on a Bavarian suds safari that winds through brewery towns, beer halls and village squares where alcohol‑free options are gaining traction.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cranks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cranks. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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