CRANING Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

craning

verb

present participle of crane

as in lifting

to move from a lower to a higher place or position craned her head to see the roof

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 craning Most of the attendees crammed along the fences, craning their necks and holding their phones aloft on their tiptoes. — Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 One of my first memories of any kind is sitting on my parents’ bedroom floor, craning my neck to watch the ’91 World Series on the old TV atop their dresser. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 22 July 2026 Giraffes are some of the most recognizable creatures on earth, with their towering height and craning long necks. — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 18 July 2026 Everyone knew the story, though Andrew’s relatives were more reluctant to speak of it, to even mention the cult’s name — Synanon — craning their necks to see if any members of her family were close enough to overhear their speculations. — Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026 In a video shared on X, Hargitay could be seen craning her head while trying to look around a referee. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 11 June 2026 Beyond the glass, across a small rocky strip of water, the zoo’s eldest giraffe is craning his impossibly long, elegant neck up to a hanging basket of foliage and methodically stripping the branches of their bark. — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 11 May 2026 Joshua appeared as surprised as any of us, craning around as if the words had been blurted by someone on the periphery. — Chang-Rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026 This flexible holder attaches easily to your seatback tray table and adjusts to multiple angles, allowing for hands-free viewing without craning your neck. — Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for craning

Verb

The machine can also carry out lifting operations independently, according to the company.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Others have called for lifting the cap, but only above a certain income threshold.

— Kevin Freking, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of lifting

Verb

Defense attorneys in both cases argued that the defendants’ intent was in question, raising in argument the possibility that their clients were not trying to cause serious bodily injury or death.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Enacting a solution is liable to be a significant political battle, likely involving cutting benefits for some Americans or raising taxes on higher earners, or both.

— Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of raising

Browse Nearby Words

cranes

craning

cranium

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Craning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craning. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of craning

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes