hacks
Breaks into computers
Hacks connects to cutting or chopping—rough, forceful strokes rather than precise ones.
A hack is a crude cut, or the tool that makes it.
To hack through something is to chop your way: We hacked through the underbrush.
A hacking cough is harsh and repetitive.
In computing, to hack is to break into systems or to code cleverly; a hack is either an intrusion or an ingenious shortcut: life hacks, productivity hacks.
A hack writer produces work quickly without artistry.
A hack is also a taxi or a worn-out horse—something for hire, used hard.
Temporarily fixed with scraps
- makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
- tinkeringCasual, unskilled adjusting
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- bodgeCrude temporary repair
MacGyver · kludge · contraption · patchwork · bootstrapping · ad-hoc · resourcefulness · jerry-built
Indirect solutions to problems
- tipsExtras for servers
- cheatsDeceives for advantage
- loopholesExploitable ambiguities in rules
- kludgesClumsy makeshift solutions
time-savers · lifehacks · bypass · expedients · tricks · tweaks · fixes · shortcuts
Notable act or abuse
- breachBreaking of agreement
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
vulnerability · zero-day · botnet · spyware · keylogger · worm · DDoS · firewall
Humorous remarks or stories
- pranksPlayful mischievous acts
- gagsJokes or silencing devices
- one-linersBrief comedic remarks
- bitsSmall portions or pieces
shtick · stand-up · roast · zingers · punchlines · quips · wisecracks · pratfalls
jury-rigged
Temporarily fixed with scraps
- makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
- tinkeringCasual, unskilled adjusting
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
MacGyver · bodge · kludge · contraption · patchwork · bootstrapping · ad-hoc · resourcefulness · jerry-built · duct-tape
workarounds
Indirect solutions to problems
kludges · time-savers · lifehacks · bypass · expedients · tricks · tweaks · fixes · shortcuts
exploit
Notable act or abuse
ransomware · vulnerability · zero-day · botnet · spyware · keylogger · worm · DDoS · firewall · encryption
machete
Heavy broad-bladed knife
hew · notch · gash · clearing · brush · undergrowth · trail-blazing
cabbie
Professional taxi operator
hackney · carriage · chauffeur · fare · medallion · livery · Uber · rideshare
jokes
Humorous remarks or stories
- pranksPlayful mischievous acts
- gagsJokes or silencing devices
- one-linersBrief comedic remarks
bits · shtick · stand-up · roast · zingers · punchlines · quips · wisecracks · pratfalls · timing
cough
Explosive airway clearing
choking · bronchitis · phlegm · sputter
reporter
One who gathers news
- columnistRecurring newspaper feature writer
- journalistNews profession practitioner
- tabloidSensationalist newspaper format
deadline · byline · freelancer · stringer · beat · newsroom · copy · scribbler · press · ghostwriter
- life hackslifehacks, tips, tricks, shortcuts, workarounds
- Timesaversshortcut, shortcuts, quick fix, autopay, autofill
- Cyberthreatsmalware, phishing, ransomware, viruses, spyware
- workaroundsworkaround, workarounds, fixes, quick fix, stopgaps
- informal knowledgefolk wisdom, old wives tales, hearsay, gossip, rumors
- listicletop ten, ranking, best of, tips, reasons
hacksartists
Makers of creative works
visionaries · innovators · auteurs · originals · trailblazers
- life hacksClever productivity shortcuts
- hack jobShoddy, rushed work
- hack offCut off roughly
- hack itManage to succeed
- hack awayPersist at difficult task
- hacking coughHarsh, dry respiratory spasm
hack, hacker, hacking, hacked, hacksaw, hackers, hacksaws, hackable, hackathon