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
Paige Harriss, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025
In fact, the only basketball game to crack the top 100 broadcasts of 2024 was the Iowa-South Carolina title showdown on ABC, which averaged 18.9 million viewers.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Replace pet bowls as needed: Scratches or cracks in bowls can trap bacteria and be impossible to clean, whether in the dishwasher or by hand.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack
Verb
Now a state-of-the-art forensic lab near Houston, Texas -- which is focused solely on partnering with law enforcement on cold case investigations -- is gaining attention for its ability to use powerful DNA testing technology to help crack seemingly unsolvable cases.
—Paige Harriss, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025
In fact, the only basketball game to crack the top 100 broadcasts of 2024 was the Iowa-South Carolina title showdown on ABC, which averaged 18.9 million viewers.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
In principle, this allows for more sunlight to penetrate into the cracks fracturing the rocks, creating the physical and chemical conditions necessary for early life to thrive.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Replace pet bowls as needed: Scratches or cracks in bowls can trap bacteria and be impossible to clean, whether in the dishwasher or by hand.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack
Verb
-
One of the biggest annual Central Florida arts traditions, the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, pops up for its 66th year along Park Avenue this weekend.—
Patrick Connolly,
Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2025
-
The rest of their flowers pop up throughout the remainder of the month in a naturally staggered pattern, thanks to a mix of varieties with different bloom times.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Drummond stops choking Mark and backs off slowly, then smashes the pistol from Lorne’s hand.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Our beaches are full of these pieces of plastic that end up choking our marine life and polluting our waterways.—
Steve Padilla,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Two puncture marks in the ring eventually gave translators a clue about how to decipher it.—
Joshua Rapp Learn,
Discover Magazine,
15 Mar. 2025
-
And the latter term for one who studies or writes word, logic or mathematical puzzles seems apt for what Gates has deciphered on the job.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Not long after Muhammad claimed the Titan FC welterweight crown, the UFC came knocking.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Some teams can knock themselves off the bubble with bad performances.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Now, that’s not to say that Trump is going to solve anything.—
David Remnick,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Puzzle after puzzle requires clever thinking and, most importantly, collaborative effort to solve.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
By the end of the day, my T-zone had turned a little bit oily, but honestly, not enough to bother me.—
Denise Primbet,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2025
-
The First Amendment’s free speech protection is under siege by the Trump administration and that should bother every American, including Republicans.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Angela Stent, a former national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia at the National Intelligence Council, said Putin is likely in no rush to end the war amid the fissures between Trump and Zelensky and between Europe and the U.S. about the way ahead.—
AAMER MADHANI,
TIME,
3 Mar. 2025
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With support for Proposition 1 varying little across race or geography, ideological lines proved to be the main fissure.—
Ari Plachta,
Sacramento Bee,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The film stars the gifted André Holland as a theater performer who becomes an amnesiac after suffering a violent blow to the head.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Mar. 2025
-
But some business owners and managers told the Miami Herald Fraga’s proposal, set to be considered by the Doral City Council on Wednesday, could deal a crushing blow to their establishments.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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