hack - Definition & Meaning | Lingo Dictionary

hack

Third Person

hacks

Present Participle

hacking

Past Tense

hacked

Past Participle

hacked

(computing) to illegally access a computer system, network, or online account in order to find, use, or change the information it contains

transitive

Hackers may try to hack into your email account to send spam messages to your contacts.
Hacking a social media profile is a violation of privacy and can lead to serious legal consequences.
They discovered that someone had hacked into their social media profiles and posted unauthorized content.
The cybercriminals attempted to hack into the company's database to steal sensitive customer data.

Synonyms:

to forcefully cut through something using rough movements

transitive

The chef decided to hack the coconut to access its refreshing water.
The gardener hacked at the overgrown bushes to restore order to the garden.
Frustrated with the tangled vines, the gardener hacked at them with pruning shears.
The firefighter hacked at the door with an axe, swiftly gaining access to the burning building.
The thief hacked at the padlock with a crowbar, trying to break into the locked chest.

Synonyms:

to ride a horse for sport

Every weekend, she enjoys hacking through the countryside on her beloved horse.
The equestrian club organized a group outing to hack along the scenic trails.
After a long day, she finds solace in hacking through the peaceful forest trails.
They spent the afternoon hacking around the arena, working on their riding skills.

to deliberately strike or make forceful contact with another player's arm in a sporting context

transitive

The crowd expressed their disapproval as they witnessed the player intentionally hack his opponent on the arm.
Hacking the arm of a competitor is considered unsportsmanlike behavior.
Officials penalized him for repeatedly hacking opponents in the match.
Players are warned not to hack others' arms to avoid injury.
He was ejected for hacking an opponent's arm during the final quarter.

(in sports) to kick an opponent on the shins

transitive

The frustrated player hacked his opponent, earning a yellow card for the deliberate foul.
In the heat of the moment, the defender hacked the striker, resulting in a penalty kick for the opposing team.
The opposing player was so frustrated, he tried to hack our striker from behind.
During the match, the defender resorted to hacking the midfielder to slow down the attack.

to form or create by cutting or chopping something

transitive

After getting lost in the jungle, they had to hack their way through thick vines and undergrowth to find their way back.
The hikers hacked a path through the overgrown trail to make it accessible for others.
The pioneer hacked a crude shelter out of the forest to protect himself from the elements.
In order to create a shortcut to the river, they hacked a narrow path through the rocky terrain.

to cough harshly with a repetitive or spasmodic sound

The smoker's persistent cough caused him to hack uncontrollably.
After inhaling the dust, he began to hack and wheeze.
The cold weather made her throat dry, leading her to hack throughout the night.
The child's persistent cold caused him to hack and splutter with each cough.
The dusty environment triggered her allergies, and she started to hack and sneeze.

Synonyms:

to haphazardly reduce or cut down a piece of content

transitive

The tabloid magazine hacked the celebrity's interview, selectively quoting statements out of context.
The editor decided to hack the journalist's article, removing essential details and distorting the overall message.
The filmmaker was disappointed when the studio forced them to hack their film.
The news outlet's bias was evident as they hacked the political candidate's speech.
The book publisher pressured the author to hack certain chapters, removing important background information.

Synonyms: