hacker

noun

hack·​er ˈha-kər How to pronounce hacker (audio)
Synonyms of hackernext
1
: one that hacks
2
: a person who is inexperienced or unskilled at a particular activity
a tennis hacker
3
: an expert at programming and solving problems with a computer
4
: a person who illegally gains access to and sometimes tampers with information in a computer system

Synonyms of hacker

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Examples of hacker in a Sentence

My friends and I have been playing golf for years, but we're still just a bunch of hackers. the company's security experts spent days trying to figure out how a hacker could have gotten past the firewall
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The most important thing to look for is whether a password manager offers encryption, which keeps your passwords safe and unreadable to hackers. — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026 The hacker set a trap designed to lure the impostor into claiming more Bitcoin. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Then, in April, Feldstein Soto slipped from unpopular to politically radioactive after hackers stole thousands of LAPD files from her office. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Then, a botched disclosure process gave hackers a head start on taking advantage of it before the world had a chance to react. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hacker

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hacker was in the 14th century

Rhymes for hacker

See All Rhymes for hacker

Browse Nearby Words

Hackensack
hacker
hackery
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hacker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hacker. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hacker

noun
hack·​er ˈhak-ər How to pronounce hacker (audio)
1
: one that hacks
2
: a person who is unskilled at a particular activity
3
: an expert at programming and solving problems with a computer
4
: a person who illegally gains access to a computer system

More from Merriam-Webster on hacker

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hacker

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