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
Verb (1)
I doubt that she can hack a job with so many responsibilities
she's not sure she can hack that miserable job much longer
Noun (1)
smallish hacks made in the bark of the trees marked the trail through the forest
completely stunned by a vicious hack across the neck
Noun (2)
after a week of hailing hacks and inhabiting hotels, the sales rep was happy to be home
is he really any good at the piano or just a hack?
Adjective
the abrupt revelation of an enemy masquerading as a friend is such a hack plot twist
Recent Examples on the Web
Davey Winder, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
What is the best way to protect your Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android devices from getting hacked?
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 21 Dec. 2024
Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 23 Dec. 2024
Drew also shared a surprising tree decorating hack.
—Tabitha Parent, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hack 
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.
Verb
Attacks that can get within a cat’s whisker of fooling a seasoned cybersecurity professional into handing over credentials that could have seen his Gmail account hacked with all the consequences that could carry.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
What is the best way to protect your Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android devices from getting hacked?
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
In an email that later becomes public through the Sony hack, journalist Jonathan Alter shares allegations about Russell’s behavior on American Hustle with Sony CEO Michael Lynton, Alter’s brother-in-law.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 23 Dec. 2024
Drew also shared a surprising tree decorating hack.
—Tabitha Parent, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hack
Dictionary Entries Near hack
Cite this Entry
“Hack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hack. Accessed 30 Dec. 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
4
informal
: to manage successfully
couldn't hack the job
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 especially with mediocre standards
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share