hacked; hacking; hacks
1
2
: to clear or make by or as if by cutting away vegetation
hacked his way through the brush
3
a
informal
: to manage successfully
just couldn't hack the new job
b
informal
: tolerate
I can't hack all this noise
4
: to gain illegal access to (a computer network, system, etc.)
In the last decade they have hacked computer networks in Estonia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, France, and Bulgaria—often stealing data.—
The New York Times
The New York Times… perhaps I would have become one of those lost souls wandering the basement of MIT playing with computers and hacking the telephone network.—Lee Smolin
Lee Smolin1
a
: to make chopping strokes or blows
hacked at the weeds
also
: to make cuts as if by chopping
hacking away at the work force
b
: to play inexpert golf
2
: to cough in a short dry manner
3
: loaf
—usually used with around
hacking around at the corner drugstore—Ruth McKenney
Ruth McKenney4
a
: to write computer programs for enjoyment
b
: to gain access to a computer illegally
trying to hack into the network
1
: a tool for rough cutting or chopping : an implement for hacking
3
: a short dry cough
4
: a rough or irregular cutting stroke : a hacking blow
5
: restriction to quarters as punishment for naval officers
—usually used in the phrase under hack
6
a
: a usually creatively improvised solution to a computer hardware or programming problem or limitation
… the 33 MHz processor that powers these PDAs is too weak to drive MP3 music files. Sony created a neat hack: it added a digital-signal processing chip that bypasses the operating system.—Josh Quittner
Josh Quittner
b
: an act or instance of gaining or attempting to gain illegal access to a computer or computer system
Methods for protecting what needs to be protected are available in the marketplace and work very well. Most security breaches are insider jobs, not hacks.—Samuel L. Earp
Samuel L. EarpThe center is divided into seven directorates. Among these is the Air Force Computer Emergency Response Team, whose nonclassified function is to report vulnerabilities and security violations such as hacks and virus incidents.—Jim Wilson
Jim WilsonAlmost 100 million cars … are vulnerable to numerous hacks that could let thieves unlock them remotely through a wireless signal …—Cara McGoogan
Cara McGoogan
c
: a clever tip or technique for doing or improving something
We asked entrepreneurs across industries to share their favorite productivity hacks, from useful organization apps to clever tricks for cutting down meeting times.—Richard Feloni
see also life hack
Richard Feloni1
a
2
a(1)
: a horse let out for common hire
(2)
: a horse used in all kinds of work
b
: a horse worn out in service : jade
c
: a light easy saddle horse
especially
: a three-gaited saddle horse
d
: a ride on a horse
3
b
: a writer who works on order
also
: a writer who aims solely for commercial success
c
: hacker sense 2
a tennis hack
hacked; hacking; hacks
1
: to ride or drive at an ordinary pace or over the roads especially as distinguished from racing or hunting
2
: to operate a taxicab
: to ride (a horse) at an ordinary pace
hacked; hacking; hacks
: to rear (a young hawk) in a state of partial liberty especially prior to the acquisition of flight and hunting capabilities
slang
: a guard especially at a prison
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- address
- contend (with)
- cope (with)
- field
- grapple (with)
- handle
- manage
- maneuver
- manipulate
- negotiate
- play
- swing
- take
- treat
Noun (1)
Noun (2)
Adjective
Examples of hack in a Sentence
Adjective
the abrupt revelation of an enemy masquerading as a friend is such a hack plot twist
Recent Examples on the WebIEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2024
Can you get hacked charging your phone in a public place?
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Digital acts, such as hacking the city’s financial systems, are to be considered more severe crimes.
—TIME, 19 Mar. 2024
The internet has some pretty dumb conspiracy theories about the Baltimore bridge collapse
Was the ship hacked?
—Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
But what if someone actually hacked their whole life with it?
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
Back in 2020, Forward Air was hacked by a group known as Hades.
—Levon Gasparian, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The 18-count indictment does not include allegations that Assange published Democratic officials’ emails that were hacked as part of a Russian campaign to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
—Salvador Rizzo, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
Even with the Starlink devices that are firmly in the Ukrainian military’s control, there is a concern among Ukrainian officials that Russians may hijack their communications or hack them.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024
Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Elevate your hair care routine (and learn how to clean your hair brushes) with a few of these simple hacks, below.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks.
—Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
The policy’s headline guidance requires companies that hold crypto assets for customers to log them as liabilities on their balance sheets and maintain additional liquidity to repay customers in the event of a hack.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
There’s no hack for growing trees Grant Canary’s first idea for how to fix reforestation was a flop.
—Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
These design hacks make for the perfect pieces to wear from dinner to the beach.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 27 Mar. 2024
Watch the video above to learn 6 fashion hacks to make clothes fit better.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
An indictment filed in Virginia accuses Assange, 52, of helping former Army private Chelsea Manning hack into U.S. systems and obtaining thousands of pages of classified military records and diplomatic cables about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2010.
—Salvador Rizzo, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
Evan Romano, Men's Health, 8 Sep. 2022
Verb
It has been hacked in order to use frequency bands other than its original 868 to 915 megahertz.
—IEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2024
Can you get hacked charging your phone in a public place?
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Digital acts, such as hacking the city’s financial systems, are to be considered more severe crimes.
—TIME, 19 Mar. 2024
The internet has some pretty dumb conspiracy theories about the Baltimore bridge collapse
Was the ship hacked?
—Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
But what if someone actually hacked their whole life with it?
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
Back in 2020, Forward Air was hacked by a group known as Hades.
—Levon Gasparian, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The 18-count indictment does not include allegations that Assange published Democratic officials’ emails that were hacked as part of a Russian campaign to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
—Salvador Rizzo, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
Even with the Starlink devices that are firmly in the Ukrainian military’s control, there is a concern among Ukrainian officials that Russians may hijack their communications or hack them.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024
Noun
Talentless hacks somehow reaching the top of the heap?
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Elevate your hair care routine (and learn how to clean your hair brushes) with a few of these simple hacks, below.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks.
—Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
The policy’s headline guidance requires companies that hold crypto assets for customers to log them as liabilities on their balance sheets and maintain additional liquidity to repay customers in the event of a hack.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
There’s no hack for growing trees Grant Canary’s first idea for how to fix reforestation was a flop.
—Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
These design hacks make for the perfect pieces to wear from dinner to the beach.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 27 Mar. 2024
Watch the video above to learn 6 fashion hacks to make clothes fit better.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
An indictment filed in Virginia accuses Assange, 52, of helping former Army private Chelsea Manning hack into U.S. systems and obtaining thousands of pages of classified military records and diplomatic cables about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2010.
—Salvador Rizzo, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
Adjective
This, instead, is Donny Blaze—a low-rent, semi-hack magician.
—Evan Romano, Men's Health, 8 Sep. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hack.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near hack
Cite this Entry
“Hack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hack. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hack
1 of 5 verb1
: to cut or sever with repeated irregular or unskillful blows
2
: to cough in a short dry manner
3
a
: to write computer programs for enjoyment
b
: to gain access to a computer illegally
hack
2 of 5 noun2
: a short dry cough
3
a
: a creatively improvised solution to a computer problem
b
: an act of gaining or trying to gain illegal access to a computer or computer system
c
: a clever tip or technique for doing or improving something
hack
3 of 5 noun1
a
: a horse that can be hired for use by the public
b
: a horse used in all kinds of work
c
: a worn-out horse
d
: a light saddle horse
2
3
a
: a writer who works mainly for hire
b
: one who serves a cause merely for reward
political hacks
c
hack
4 of 5 adjective1
: working for hire
a hack writer
2
: done by or characteristic of a hack
hack writing
hack
5 of 5 verb1
: to ride or drive at an ordinary pace or over the roads rather than across country
2
: to operate a taxicab
Etymology
Verb
Old English -haccian "to cut with repeated blows"
Noun
a shortened form of hackney
Medical Definition
hack
1 of 2 intransitive verb
: to cough in a short dry manner
hack
2 of 2 noun
: a short dry cough
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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