as in excellent
of the very best kind
a writer renowned for her cracking tales of mystery and suspense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in extremely
to a great degree
tells a cracking good tale of a search for a lost city
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in popping
to break suddenly with an explosive sound
the tree branch unexpectedly cracked under our weight
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2
as in choking
to yield to mental or emotional stress
after hours of tough questioning the suspect finally cracked and blurted out a confession
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3
as in deciphering
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
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4
as in knocking
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
cracked the bow of the ship with a champagne bottle
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5
as in solving
to find an answer for through reasoning
I've been mulling this riddle, but I just can't crack it
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6
as in bothering
to cause to go insane or as if insane
cracked by years in solitary confinement, the prisoner could only maunder incoherently
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cracking
SI.com, 28 Oct. 2019
His fortunes finally turned back Wednesday, when van Garderen laid down a cracking time trial at the Tour of California.
—sacbee, 16 May 2018
Judy Kurtz, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2026
Grout's biggest challenge is cracking from improper installation or too much moisture.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
Rooms differ in terms of size and views, with 12 and 34 in particular both hosting cracking outlooks over the sea towards Stromboli and Panarea, the latter with a large terrace for sunbathing.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
So how does Maye intend on cracking the Chargers’ secondary for valuable explosive plays?
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Everybody can be cracking jokes and whatnot, but everybody knew the gravity of the situation that day.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, the time has come to get cracking.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 8 Jan. 2026
Why cracking your knuckles got a bad reputation Fernandez has a suspicion about where the myth about knuckle cracking dangers emerged.
—Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026
Police struggle to maintain order, their wooden sticks cracking against the pavement in a futile attempt to control the sheer mass of people.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Another uninspired performance coupled with a a heavy defeat may well spell the end for the Basque manager at the Emirates, so this fixture should have plenty of undertones and be a cracking game of football.
—Verb
Nikki Glaser was cracking jokes about CBS News and the Epstein files within moments of taking the stage for her Golden Globes monologue.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for cracking
Adjective
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But the Red Sox destroyed and ended their relationship with their only true power hitter and proven winner for a player who, though an undeniably excellent addition, was here for 117 total games.—
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Transition metal fluorides are widely regarded as promising cathode materials because of their high theoretical voltages and excellent thermal stability.—
Adverb
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The first indicator is oftentimes a lack of water flow from faucets when the weather is extremely cold.—
-
Skeeter, 36, serves as the Hornets’ player development coach and is also the primary person who works extremely closely with star guard LaMelo Ball.—
Verb
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There could be some relationship turmoil popping up for you now and in the weeks ahead, Gemini.—
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After popping up in Batman Forever (1995), Empire Records (1995), and The Insider (1999), Mazar found a semi-permanent home as Vincent Chase’s publicist on Entourage (2004–2011).—
Verb
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Local news outlets, however, reported that the actor has been in an intensive care unit at a hospital in Seoul after collapsing while choking on food at his home.—
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Seven elderly men and women were hospitalized after choking on mochi in the first three days of 2026, Japan Today reported, citing the Tokyo Fire Department.—
Verb
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Dreams are a concept that humans have been fascinated with deciphering for thousands of years.—
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Though historians have called for further research before making claims, the proposal of a script rooted in sign language might open the chance to explore a new way of deciphering Mayan art and show the ancient civilization to be even more sophisticated and efficient than scholars even knew.—
Verb
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The right words can open doors the heart’s been knocking on for a while.—
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Once the buzz starts, fringe brands come knocking.—
Verb
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By solving the problem of high credit card APRs, a rate cap could very well end up hurting those it was intended to help.—
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This makes solving the puzzle considerably more difficult.—
Verb
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Ibrahim keeps bothering me endlessly, touching my leg and thigh.—
-
Ask her if anything is bothering her.—
Cite this Entry
“Cracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cracking. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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