hack
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for hack, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To cut or chop something roughly, without precision.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use hack
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English haccian ("to hack, chop"), related to German hacken and Dutch hakken; the computing sense dates to the 1950s-60s, first meaning clever problem-solving before picking up its darker "break into a system" meaning by the 1960s.
Full origin of hack →Frequently asked questions
What does “hack” mean?
The word “hack” means to cut or chop something roughly, without precision. In plain terms, to chop roughly, break into a system, or find a clever workaround — depending on context.
How do you pronounce “hack”?
“Hack” is pronounced hak (/hæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “hack” in a sentence?
Here is “hack” used in a sentence: “He hacked through the overgrown branches with a machete.”
What is another word for “hack”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hack” include nag.
What part of speech is “hack”?
Depending on how it is used, “hack” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “hack” come from?
The word “hack” dates back to around 1950 and comes from Old English.
Is “hack” a common word?
“Hack” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “hack” have?
“Hack” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cut or chop something roughly, without precision.
Is "hack" always negative when talking about computers?
No. The narrow sense — breaking into a computer system without authorization — is illegal, but "hack" also has a neutral or admiring sense of finding clever technical solutions. That is why security testers are called "ethical hackers" and coding events are called "hackathons"; context shows whether wrongdoing or ingenuity is meant.
What is the difference between "hack" and "chop"?
Both mean to cut with forceful blows, but "hack" implies rough, clumsy, or violent cutting ("the branches had been hacked off"), while "chop" suggests deliberate, controlled strokes, as when chopping wood or vegetables. "Hack" therefore often carries a tone of damage or crudeness that "chop" lacks.