cracked

12 synonyms and 2 antonyms for cracked, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adjective — Broken so that a line or split has formed, without falling completely apart.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

split damaged

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

fractured bats

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

fissured chipped crazed alligatored balmy batty bonkers barmy

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adjective

Broken so that a line or split has formed, without falling completely apart.

“The cracked mug leaked tea all over the kitchen counter.”

split fractured fissured chipped crazed damaged alligatored balmy batty bats bonkers barmy

Opposites

sound

2. adjective

Informal: crazy or eccentric.

“Everyone thought he was cracked for climbing the hill in slippers.”

Opposites

sane

How to use cracked

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

cracked screen cracked software absolutely cracked

The gaming-skill and pirated-software senses are informal internet slang.

Etymology

See crack. The origin of the slang sense “skilled (at a game)” is disputed, but may derive from the much older term crack shot (“one who is skilled at shooting”). Compare cracking, crackerjack.

Full origin of cracked →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cracked” mean?

The word “cracked” means broken so that a line or split has formed, without falling completely apart. In plain terms, damaged with a crack, or, in slang, either pirated software or someone extremely good at a game.

How do you pronounce “cracked”?

“Cracked” is pronounced krakt (/kɹækt/ in IPA).

How do you use “cracked” in a sentence?

Here is “cracked” used in a sentence: “The cracked phone screen still worked but looked terrible.”

What part of speech is “cracked”?

“Cracked” is an adjective.

Is “cracked” a common word?

“Cracked” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “cracked” have?

“Cracked” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: broken so that a line or split has formed, without falling completely apart.

What is the difference between cracked and broken?

A cracked object has a visible split or line running through it but is still in one piece — a cracked phone screen usually still works. A broken object has come apart or stopped working altogether. Cracked is, in effect, an earlier or milder stage of broken.

Why do gamers say someone is cracked?

In gaming slang, "cracked" means extremely, almost unbelievably skilled — usually describing aim or reflexes in shooter games. It is a compliment: saying someone is "cracked at Valorant" means they are outstandingly good, not that anything is wrong with them.

Is calling a person cracked an insult or a compliment?

It depends on context. The older informal sense means crazy or eccentric, so it can be teasing or insulting. In modern gaming slang, however, it is strong praise for exceptional skill.

Is it legal to use cracked software?

Cracked software has had its copy protection or licensing removed so it can be used without paying. Downloading or using it generally infringes copyright law, and cracked copies are a common source of malware, so it is risky both legally and practically.

People also searched

sound split damaged bats sane fractured chipped crazed batty balmy barmy bonkers

Nearby words

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