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to crack

to crack

102 8.4
To break into a computer or online account without permission
  • verb
  • /kræk/
  • Jargon
translation icon : hackear
  • Craig: The journalist Craig prided himself on his ability to crack computer codes and access files.

And you know, they could crack the blockchain, they could crack the code.

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Examples

  • So I'm going to crack into here.

  • If we find that uplink, we can crack the code.

  • We can crack this together.

  • "A lot of people look at their own systems and wonder how anyone could crack it, but any system is vulnerable."

    Academic text (2006)
  • You've got 36 hours to crack this bastard, or you might want to be thinking about another career.

  • We personally, my own computer team personally cracked the Alphabet bandit's code this afternoon.

  • What would happen if an enemy cracked our atomic weapon codes, or re-encrypted our Social Security or health databases?

    Academic text (2010)
  • Hackers managed to crack the company's security system and stole sensitive information.

  • She was worried that someone might crack her online accounts and steal her personal data.

  • The team worked hard to prevent attackers from trying to crack their software's encryption.

Synonyms

to break
vsto crack
597 8.0

To enter a building or computer without permission to steal

targets computers or data specifically rather than property or theft
to hack
vsto crack
  • Texting
207 4.0

To get into a computer or network without permission

often acts with malicious intent when gaining such access
to break in
vsto crack
73 3.9

To enter a building or computer system without permission, often by force

is specifically about accessing computers or data rather than physical entry
to pwn
vsto crack
  • Slang
9.9

To take control of a computer or online account without permission

focuses on gaining unauthorized access rather than taking control

Antonyms

65 3.8

To stop someone from entering a building or using an account

Idioms

To use firm authority to make people work harder and follow rules

to crack a nut
  • Informal
7.3

To use much more force or effort than needed to solve a small problem

8.8

To get a serious head injury that breaks the skull

9.3

A warning slogan saying crack cocaine can kill people

To use much more effort or help than needed to do a small task

To use far more force or effort than needed for a small task

Phrasal Verbs

63 3.8

To take strong action to stop illegal or wrong behavior

to crack up
  • Informal
18 3.5

To laugh loudly and without control

16 4.9

To try to do something, often for the first time

15 2.6

Open something like a bottle or box to get what is inside

To find the secret meaning or solution in something difficult

to crack a joke
  • Informal
10 2.9

Tell a joke to make people laugh

9 6.8

To keep working on something quickly and with energy

to crack up
  • Informal
4 7.4

To have a nervous breakdown because of too much stress

To repair a break or hole in a surface so it is smooth and whole again

Find a way to solve a hard problem

To work quickly to finish many tasks in a short time

Compounds

20 6.6

A very strong illegal drug people smoke that causes a strong addiction

crack of dawn
  • Informal
19 3.2

Very early in the morning when the sun first appears

9 6.1

A person who uses crack cocaine and cannot stop

4 6.5

A person who hits targets very accurately with a gun

crack whore
  • Offensive
2 9.9

An offensive word for a woman who exchanges sex for crack cocaine, often because she is addicted

1 7.2

A sudden emotional breakdown or a sudden burst of laughter

quarter crack
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A vertical crack on the inside of a horse's front hoof that can make the horse limp

crack of doom
  • Archaic
9.9

The day when God judges everyone and the world ends

8.2

A large tree with stiff branches that break easily, often growing by rivers

creamy crack
  • Slang
9.9

A creamy food that people find very hard to stop eating

ab crack
  • Jargon
9.6

A visible straight line that appears down the middle of the belly from strong stomach muscles

fatigue crack
  • Specialized
7.0

A break in metal or hard material caused by repeated stress

9.9

A strong want to collect plastic toys like action figures or models

sand crack
  • Specialized
9.8

A vertical crack in a horse's hoof that can cause pain

toe crack
  • Specialized
9.9

A crack at the front of a horse's hoof that can make the horse limp

How Successful

to crack
  • Jargon
102 8.4
to get into
  • NSFW
39 6.3
to probe
23 4.6

Surface Forms

crack infinitive
cracked past
cracked past participle
cracking present participle
cracks third person singular

Etymology

To crack a code or security system uses the idea of 'breaking' something open, like breaking a lock. That's why to 'crack' a password means to open it without permission.