1
2
as in to choke
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 to decipher
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 to knock
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 to solve
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 to bother
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 fissure
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 blow
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 bang
a loud explosive sound
the tree fell with a sharp crack
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
a whispered crack made the whole back row start laughing
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in eccentric
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
as in skilled
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
known as one of the college's crack tennis players
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 crack
Rachel Desantis, People.com, 19 May 2025
Mike Schmidt cracked his second home run in the top of the 10th to win it 23-22.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Kevin Clark reportedly said the wall had a crack where a window was, which detectives believe Patrick’s head landed on.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack
Verb
It was featured on her 1962 album Connie Francis Sings Second Hand Love & Other Hits, but didn’t make much of a splash at the time; the record failed to crack the Top 100 on the Billboard Top LPs chart.
—Rachel Desantis, People.com, 19 May 2025
Mike Schmidt cracked his second home run in the top of the 10th to win it 23-22.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
Noun
Two times was plenty; Gillis doesn’t need a third crack at this.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Kevin Clark reportedly said the wall had a crack where a window was, which detectives believe Patrick’s head landed on.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack
Verb
-
Nvidia shares popped more than 6% in the premarket following the release.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
29 May 2025
-
The stock popped more than 4.5% on Thursday, and Nvidia, with a $3.4 trillion market cap, is the most valuable company in the world — just ahead of Microsoft (MSFT) and now well ahead of Apple (AAPL).—
Shannon Carroll,
Quartz,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Many of these artisans — traditionally known for their boldness and innovation — are finding ways to maintain quality and brand integrity without asking loyal customers to choke on the price.—
Gretchen Eichenberg,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2025
-
Chia seed water can be a choking hazard, so make sure the seeds are thoroughly soaked to prevent choking.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
As Guidry and Bowen try to decipher what led to Adam’s murder, viewers are taken on a ride.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
29 May 2025
-
As advocates on both sides of the police accountability debate decipher what Trump's about-face means for those communities, some are now focusing on what his administration might do next as allies seek to redefine the summer of 2020.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 May 2025
-
The pharmacologist and her sister, 28-year-old Lisa Smith, were knocked backward by the fish, which doctors believe to be a reef shark.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
Instead, Kit and Sam use their knowledge of the animal kingdom to solve problems in different animal communities.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
20 May 2025
-
Since the series tries to spotlight so many people in the Ironwood community, the audience is often pulled in several directions when the focus could have stayed squarely on the twins, the quest to repair Christian’s car and solving the mystery of his disappearance.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
After years of ‘losing culture,’ can the new-look Chicago Bears turn things around on defense? Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard didn’t bother mincing words.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
-
The walk, only his second this month, bothered him.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
That’s still true in the fully postindustrial parts of the city, though in a way that bespeaks new fissures.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
21 May 2025
-
Volcanic eruptions typically occur when magma below a volcano surges into subsurface pockets called magma chambers, then escapes to the surface through vents and fissures.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
5 May 2025
Noun
-
In the rear of an IndyCar vehicle is a safety device called an attenuator, designed to cushion the blow from a rear impact into the wall.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
The lawyers claim the measure signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis this month has already dealt significant blows to campaigns to expand Medicaid and legalize recreational marijuana in the state.—
Kate Payne,
Sun Sentinel,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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