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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of cracks
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
This cracks long plastic chains into smaller hydrocarbon chunks.
—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
6 June 2026
Crooks gets to stay in the Big 12 as a senior, and Oklahoma State cracks the top 25.
—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Later, in response to some minor infraction, Joseph cracks his belt across little Michael’s butt.
—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
21 Apr. 2026
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
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
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
2 July 2026
The long, lightweight seed pods catch the wind and disperse seeds all over your yard, your neighbors’, and in the little cracks between your sidewalk.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 July 2026
Not just cracks in physical structures, researchers have been able to study the effects of harsh temperatures, corrosion, and radiation inside nuclear reactors using radiography, ultrasonics, and electromagnetic labs.
—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
2 July 2026
For one thing, plenty still slips through the cracks; mobile games, for instance, are massively popular, but are rarely subject to preservation efforts outside of fan projects.
—
Andrew Webster,
The Verge,
1 July 2026
Taken together, the fracturing of programs, enforcement and oversight for disabled students across multiple agencies raised questions of what would fall through the cracks, special education advocates said.
—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
This isn't a governance gap that fell through the cracks of a single function.
—
Jeppe Rindom,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
But the cracks have shown in low-scoring games with little insulation.
—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Rux used to work as a mechanical engineer inspecting roads for cracks that result from use and weathering.
—
Jake Buehler,
Quanta Magazine,
29 June 2026
Verb
There was one where the both managers got ejected in the same moment, which cracks me up.
—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
This cracks long plastic chains into smaller hydrocarbon chunks.
—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
6 June 2026
Crooks gets to stay in the Big 12 as a senior, and Oklahoma State cracks the top 25.
—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Later, in response to some minor infraction, Joseph cracks his belt across little Michael’s butt.
—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
21 Apr. 2026
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
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
Noun
William has inherited the belief that lasting change comes from listening, bringing people together, and challenging the systems that allow vulnerable people to fall through the cracks.
—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
2 July 2026
The long, lightweight seed pods catch the wind and disperse seeds all over your yard, your neighbors’, and in the little cracks between your sidewalk.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 July 2026
Not just cracks in physical structures, researchers have been able to study the effects of harsh temperatures, corrosion, and radiation inside nuclear reactors using radiography, ultrasonics, and electromagnetic labs.
—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
2 July 2026
For one thing, plenty still slips through the cracks; mobile games, for instance, are massively popular, but are rarely subject to preservation efforts outside of fan projects.
—
Andrew Webster,
The Verge,
1 July 2026
Taken together, the fracturing of programs, enforcement and oversight for disabled students across multiple agencies raised questions of what would fall through the cracks, special education advocates said.
—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
This isn't a governance gap that fell through the cracks of a single function.
—
Jeppe Rindom,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
But the cracks have shown in low-scoring games with little insulation.
—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Rux used to work as a mechanical engineer inspecting roads for cracks that result from use and weathering.
—
Jake Buehler,
Quanta Magazine,
29 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracks
Verb
-
Chloë Sevigny, Regina Hall, D’Arcy Carden, and Gemma Chan are the friends, which bodes well, and Timothy Olyphant pops up as an old boyfriend.
-
Octavia Spencer pops in a summery blouse at the Amiri show during Paris Fashion Week on June 25.
Verb
-
Remove chokes from artichokes and steam in small amount of water for 15 minutes, adding water to pan as needed.
-
Connecticut’s largest cities also struggle with the state’s highest property tax rates, which chokes business growth and, in turn, shifts more burden onto residential owners.
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.
-
With that base knowledge and his opponent’s game tape, Nolan analyzes wide receiver alignments and deciphers the offense's attack.
Verb
-
From conveyor belts and baggage carts to overhead bins and taxi trunks, luggage is constantly subjected to bumps, knocks and rough handling.
-
This knocks Europe out in a single shot.
Verb
-
Trust grows when a new product, service or AI feature solves a real challenge and delivers measurable business results.
-
Many hijinks ensue, including a trip to Persia, a secret pregnancy, many threats to the life and chastity of the young couple, and a war in Egypt that unexpectedly solves everyone’s problems.
Verb
-
Much like previous financial crazes around meme stocks and NFTs, true believers view prediction markets through a stick-it-to-the-man prism.
-
Check out some of the most instantly recognizable ‘90s teen hallmarks, including the most popular bedroom furniture, beauty products, and fashion crazes.
Noun
-
So, too, does the idea that a soccer coach could close fissures that even the well-meaning among career politicians have failed to seal.
-
The group is particularly interested in suspending, fracturing, and reconstructing time through which othered bodies and identities pass, and in exploring the attendant emerging fissures.
Noun
-
Onaje died four days later — having suffered fatal brain hemorrhaging from multiple blows to his skull.
-
Officers said that Samartino quickly assessed the situation and immediately began administering back blows to the infant.
Cite this Entry
“Cracks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracks. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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