crank 1 of 3

noun

ˈkraŋk How to pronounce crank (audio)
Definition of cranknext
1
as in crab
an irritable and complaining person he's always a crank until he has his morning coffee

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in eccentric
a person of odd or whimsical habits she's a bit of a crank, but still a good-hearted person

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in whim
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action his endless and unpredictable cranks made spending time with him exhausting

Synonyms & Similar Words

crank

2 of 3

adjective

chiefly dialect
1
as in triumphant
having or expressing feelings of joy or triumph you shouldn't feel so crank, considering that you beat the worst softball team in the league

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joyful
joyously unrestrained folks around here are downright crank that a local boy won a gold medal in the Olympics

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crank

3 of 3

verb

as in to wind

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of crank
Noun
The blocker is not merely the neighborhood crank with a CEQA lawyer. — Tracy Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026 That engine produces around 400 hp at the crank, bolstering a top speed of 187 mph (~300 km/h). — New Atlas, 8 May 2026
Verb
Emma D'Arcy signs fans' posters at the House of the Dragon season 3 premiere in London on June 8. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 That prediction stems in part from his expectation that technology companies will crank up their prices as their products become more essential to companies like Allianz. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for crank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crank
  1. crab
  2. eccentric
  3. whim
  4. triumphant
  5. joyful
  6. wind
  7. bear
  8. nut
Noun
  • The sculpture—which is home to live fish and crabs—takes inspiration from Newtown Creek, the toxic waterway between Brooklyn and Queens.
    — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 2 July 2026
  • Pair it with the crispy soft shell crab or Wagyu beef and black garlic gyoza for summery dinner.
    — Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of crab
Noun
  • With its loose ends and digressions, Dream Me a Dream stays true to those idiosyncratic instincts while retaining enough of the welcoming glow of Dance of Love to make this an affecting farewell from an endearing eccentric.
    — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026
  • The eccentric cuz is quick to try and help Bobby solve problems, which often gets him into trouble, but ultimately pushes him out of his shell.
    — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026
Definition of eccentric
Noun
  • Grants could be canceled due to political whims, and new layers of bureaucracy would inhibit basic scientific activities like publishing papers and attending conferences.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026
  • And, of course, for all his whims on the basketball court to come true.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of whim
Adjective
  • In the 1980s, Hollywood started collaborating with the Department of Defense on films that would paint a more triumphant, patriotic portrait military compared to the critical movies made in the shadow of the Vietnam War.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • West is full of stories about the musical’s triumphant 1994 premiere.
    — Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2026
Definition of triumphant
Adjective
  • The poem depicts writing as a joyful quest for enlightenment, of transforming darkness into light.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • The second half brought a different tone to the joyful opening 45 minutes.
    — Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Definition of joyful
Verb
  • Through the risk of lightning, sticky humidity and a winding line filled with thousands of chanting fans, Argentine fans flooded Bayfront Park with a sea of blue jerseys.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
  • One feels exposed, out in the elements, seeking shade from shapes that appear like altars or overlooking winding paths that veer high and low.
    — Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 3 July 2026
Definition of wind
Noun
  • Ron Magill, a conservation liaison with Zoo Miami Foundation, told ABC News that bears can feel threatened or competitive with other animals like dogs.
    — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 30 June 2026
  • Authorities in northern Aomori prefecture said on Monday that a man found dead on a mountain that day may have been attacked by a bear.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of bear
Noun
  • Foods with natural oils or fats, like olive oil, whole grains, and nut butters, are especially vulnerable to heat damage.
    — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 1 July 2026
  • But are there any downsides to consuming this nut spread regularly?
    — Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 1 July 2026
Definition of nut

Phrases Containing crank

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craniums
crank
cranked
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Cite this Entry

“Crank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crank. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on crank

Nglish: Translation of crank for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crank

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