1
as in triumphant
having or expressing feelings of joy or triumph
you shouldn't feel so crank, considering that you beat the worst softball team in the league
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joyful
joyously unrestrained
folks around here are downright crank that a local boy won a gold medal in the Olympics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in eccentric
a person of odd or whimsical habits
she's a bit of a crank, but still a good-hearted person
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crab
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 whim
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 crank
Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 22 Sep. 2023
Any big-box retailer will have a selection of weather-band radios, powered by a crank or replaceable batteries.
—Heather Kelly, Washington Post, 19 July 2023
Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, leading administration jobs are going to cranks and fanatics.
—Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2025
Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025
In addition to its impressive navigation technology and handy sensors that crank up the suction speed for tougher messes, the gadget is also self-emptying.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crank
Adjective
Model numbers can be found on the inside of the crank arm near the backside of the arm where the pedals are attached.
—Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 22 Sep. 2023
Any big-box retailer will have a selection of weather-band radios, powered by a crank or replaceable batteries.
—Heather Kelly, Washington Post, 19 July 2023
Noun
Eisenberg’s mousy David is as well-acted as Culkin’s crank.
—Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, leading administration jobs are going to cranks and fanatics.
—Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
Freezing weather requires homeowners to crank up the heat, but that—along with lower humidity and less light—creates a challenging environment for houseplants.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025
In addition to its impressive navigation technology and handy sensors that crank up the suction speed for tougher messes, the gadget is also self-emptying.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crank
Adjective
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Most recently, the Princess of Wales, 43, made a triumphant return to the Irish Guards' St. Patrick's Day parade on March 17 after missing the event last year amid her health struggles.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
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This week, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco share a vulnerable highlight from their new collaborative album, Jessica Simpson makes a triumphant return to music with a country pop power ballad, and Japanese Breakfast delivers an appropriately melancholy track from her new LP.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Lucky Charms Rainbow Sprinkles Lucky Charms Rainbow Sprinkles cereal boasts a delicious birthday cake flavor with confetti sprinkle pieces, making every bite a joyful explosion of fun.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
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Alyssa describes her work as colorful and joyful, often incorporating small details that together tell a larger story.—
Heide Janssen,
Orange County Register,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Rachel does a great job conveying such collective endeavors and group dreaming, the whole circumference of people who support bands: friends of friends, drop-of-a-hat designers, stopgap agents, stall owners, dealers, grandparents with record collections, eccentrics without portfolios.—
Ian Penman,
Harper's Magazine,
19 Feb. 2025
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Would love to know what these career eccentrics make of the pomp and pageantry of the Grammys.—
August Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Guests will savor various foods and wine pairings such as crab cakes and Kosta Browne chardonnay, smoked duck breast and Duckhorn red wine, trout and Kosta Browne 2022 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and braised short ribs and Kosta Browne Burgundy Series 2021 Beaune Premier Cru Pinot Noir.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
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Thankfully for me, the Cheesecake Factory just shared their crab wonton recipe.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The book is filled with similar anecdotes that capture the peculiar indignities of those catering to the whims of the most powerful people in the world.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
-
There are times when composing a prompt by whim is perfectly fine.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The winding two-lane road is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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For a man with his name up in lights this often, much of Merino’s winding path to cult hero at the age of 28 — via stints at Osasuna, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United and, most notably, Real Sociedad — has remained in the dark.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Mike is a native of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the proud home of Steelers training camp, and graduated from American University in Washington, D.C.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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Mizrahi - What was the proudest moment of your career?—
Isaac Mizrahi,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The popularity of this area is booming, with creatives and entrepreneurs enjoying the proximity to both nature and a lively community.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2025
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Located in the lively South Lamar enclave, Zilker Studios also showcases its designer’s flair for space efficiency.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crank. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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