1
2
as in chokes
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 deciphers
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 knocks
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 solves
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 crazes
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 fissures
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 blows
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 claps
a loud explosive sound
the tree fell with a sharp crack
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in jokes
something said or done to cause laughter
a whispered crack made the whole back row start laughing
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in eccentrics
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cracks
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Rhea has a wondrous laugh, which cracks the air like a lightning bolt of joy.
—Britt Lower, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Every winter, the freeze-thaw cycle cracks the asphalt from within.
—Yunus Emre Tozal, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
But this idea cracks the Standard Model in a different way, and the simplest patch is to add another slightly ambidextrous, but mostly right-handed, sterile neutrino.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
But this celebration of the joys (and practical value) of gardening is also laced with comedy, as Galifianakis cracks plenty of jokes with the experts and kids joining him amongst the greenery.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Apr. 2026
The deal cracks the seven figures, to be split by the writers.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
There is a $100,000 reward for information that cracks the case.
—Michael Ruiz , Amanda MacIas, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Come tipoff, Mark Jones cracks jokes in play-by-play coverage, alongside network partners Richard Jefferson and Monica McNutt.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Common signs include cracks or chips in the teeth.
—K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
When picking your tomatillos, go for a medium size and look for smooth pieces with no cracks or bruises.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Because every child who slips through the cracks does so not from a lack of potential, but from a lack of people willing to act.
—Ann Bullock, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Shortly after that, more bombardment from smaller asteroids produced large cracks on the moon’s surface, allowing volcanic lava to well up and fill the asteroids’ large impressions.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Baumgardner Dane Brugler’s analysis A short, well-built back, Black runs balanced, low to the ground and consistently finds cracks at the line of scrimmage.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Talent always finds its way through the cracks.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Foundation Cracks and Structural Movement Not all cracks are the same.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
That the New York DMA was in the mix is particularly noteworthy, as Gotham rarely cracks even the Super Bowl’s top-20 local markets—a function of its sheer size.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Rhea has a wondrous laugh, which cracks the air like a lightning bolt of joy.
—Britt Lower, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Every winter, the freeze-thaw cycle cracks the asphalt from within.
—Yunus Emre Tozal, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
But this idea cracks the Standard Model in a different way, and the simplest patch is to add another slightly ambidextrous, but mostly right-handed, sterile neutrino.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
But this celebration of the joys (and practical value) of gardening is also laced with comedy, as Galifianakis cracks plenty of jokes with the experts and kids joining him amongst the greenery.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Apr. 2026
The deal cracks the seven figures, to be split by the writers.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
There is a $100,000 reward for information that cracks the case.
—Michael Ruiz , Amanda MacIas, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Come tipoff, Mark Jones cracks jokes in play-by-play coverage, alongside network partners Richard Jefferson and Monica McNutt.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
But cracks in the league’s foundation may have started to show late last year as a pair of its higher-profile players moved to exit LIV despite its staggering prize money.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Common signs include cracks or chips in the teeth.
—K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
When picking your tomatillos, go for a medium size and look for smooth pieces with no cracks or bruises.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Because every child who slips through the cracks does so not from a lack of potential, but from a lack of people willing to act.
—Ann Bullock, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Shortly after that, more bombardment from smaller asteroids produced large cracks on the moon’s surface, allowing volcanic lava to well up and fill the asteroids’ large impressions.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Baumgardner Dane Brugler’s analysis A short, well-built back, Black runs balanced, low to the ground and consistently finds cracks at the line of scrimmage.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Talent always finds its way through the cracks.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Foundation Cracks and Structural Movement Not all cracks are the same.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks
Verb
-
What began as a one-off backyard show quickly evolved into a monthly live event series that pops up in local warehouses, art galleries and cocktail bars.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Raw milk legislation pops up across the nation Bills favoring raw milk have been introduced in the current legislative session in 18 states, including those controlled by Democrats and Republicans.—
Laura Ungar,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the second season, a patient under the influence wraps his arm around a young nurse’s neck and chokes her until the charge nurse intervenes.—
Jennifer Obel,
Twin Cities,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Jasmine almost chokes on her corn dog when that comes out of Janet’s mouth.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Qualcomm’s chip can run Linux, along with Arduino software, and can even do computer vision, which deciphers what a camera sees and translates it into software.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
-
With that base knowledge and his opponent’s game tape, Nolan analyzes wide receiver alignments and deciphers the offense's attack.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Sep. 2025
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
-
For one thing, precedent says that Waddle’s production this fall should, health permitting (knocks on wood), just about double whatever numbers Cooper puts out as a rookie for the J-E-T-S in 2026.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The development solves the long-standing issues of material degradation and leakage (crossover) by re-engineering the iron complex at the molecular level.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The series features Cherish as a part-time gardener who solves crimes with the help of her husband, an ex–police chief.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Much like previous financial crazes around meme stocks and NFTs, true believers view prediction markets through a stick-it-to-the-man prism.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Check out some of the most instantly recognizable ‘90s teen hallmarks, including the most popular bedroom furniture, beauty products, and fashion crazes.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
11 Jan. 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
-
The Russian military appears to be losing some ground in Ukraine, contrary to claims by Moscow’s top brass; Ukrainian strikes are delivering damaging blows to vital Russian oil and gas infrastructure; and drone strikes by Kyiv have disrupted life in the Russian capital before.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
-
And Minnesota didn’t absorb or respond to the blows.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cracks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracks. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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