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 nut
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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Recent Examples of crack
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Teason is a reserve from last season, while Williams is a redshirt freshman looking to crack the rotation after taking a season to add weight.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Odors can be caused by bacteria buildup under the rim, clogged pipes, a broken wax ring that seals the connection between the toilet and the drain, and small cracks in the toilet bowl or tank.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack
Verb
Bell cracked the starting lineup when left tackle Jalen Rivers suffered an early-season injury.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Teason is a reserve from last season, while Williams is a redshirt freshman looking to crack the rotation after taking a season to add weight.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
But — by virtue of expansion Vancouver opting for depth forwards in the draft — Kelly Pannek and Grace Zumwinkle slipped through the cracks.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Odors can be caused by bacteria buildup under the rim, clogged pipes, a broken wax ring that seals the connection between the toilet and the drain, and small cracks in the toilet bowl or tank.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack
Verb
-
The sun is tickling our necks, the smell of cherry blossoms are wafting through the air, and dazzling new produce is popping up left, right, and center.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Fortunately, more homes have just popped up for sale at Powder Haven, the exclusive residential enclave in Utah backed by Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings, who acquired the resort in 2023 and has since been reshaping it into a hybrid public-private ski destination.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The victims, who died from smoke inhalation, might have made it out of the Belmont building alive if their neighbors had closed their doors and choked the oxygen that fed the massive five-alarm fire on Tuesday afternoon.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
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In November 2025, Biggs was preparing for practice in the locker room when Hebert allegedly approached another teammate and choked him in response to a post on Instagram, according to the lawsuit.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In corporate news, luxury conglomerate and industry bellwether LVMH reported quarterly sales that missed expectations on Monday as the sector begins to decipher the fallout from the war in the Middle East and its impact on stocks.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The researchers then deciphered certain traits that were linked to the habit.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At that house, no one answered a Statesman reporter’s knocks on Monday, but Davidson told the Statesman that his family owns the whole lot.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Alex Hebda, of Wheatfield, and Chris Mercaldo, of Valparaiso, were knocking the balls around the pool table.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The best lip liners for mature lips solve a problem that goes beyond smudging.—
Micaela English,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Pip is back to solve another case in season 2 of the beloved Good Girl's Guide series based on books by Holly Jackson.—
Madeleine Janz,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With Minnesota viewing them as soft, the Nuggets hardly seem bothered by the criticism.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Fuqua and Logan can’t be bothered to figure it out.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Eyes on the primary runoff The Democratic race doesn't feature notable policy splits along the lines of the progressive-moderate fissures that have opened around the country.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The ledges are broken by crevices and fissures, and loose rocks of all sizes lie on them and below them.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Arsenal’s title challenge is back on track, Liverpool have been dealt a potentially season-defining injury blow, and Fantasy Premier League managers now have just four Gameweeks left to make their mark.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The loss of Kidal represents a significant blow to Russia’s credibility in Mali, where the military junta has relied on mercenaries to combat Islamic extremism.—
Wilson Mcmakin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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