Crack vs. Smack — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 2, 2024
Crack is a potent form of cocaine that is smoked for rapid, intense highs, while smack refers to heroin, an opioid used for its sedative effects.
Difference Between Crack and Smack
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Crack cocaine is a powerful, smokable form of cocaine that delivers an intense, short-lived high, leading to severe addiction risks. Whereas smack, a street name for heroin, is typically injected, snorted, or smoked, offering a long-lasting euphoria and high potential for addiction.
Crack is derived from powdered cocaine by processing it with baking soda and water, resulting in hard crystals. On the other hand, smack comes from the resin of poppy plants and is processed into a powder or tar-like substance.
Users of crack experience a rapid, exhilarating rush that lasts about 15 minutes, leading to repeated use to sustain the high. In contrast, smack users feel a profound sense of relaxation and detachment from reality, effects that can last several hours.
The health risks associated with crack include respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, and neurological effects. Whereas, smack’s usage is predominantly linked to severe physical dependence, overdose risks, and various infections from needle use.
Law enforcement agencies classify crack and smack as high-risk substances with severe penalties for possession and distribution. However, crack has often been associated with harsher legal penalties compared to smack, especially under earlier drug sentencing laws in the United States.
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Comparison Chart
Main Ingredient
Processed cocaine
Processed opium from poppies
Common Form
Crystals ("rocks")
Powder or tar-like substance
Administration
Smoked
Injected, smoked, or snorted
Duration of High
Short (around 15 minutes)
Long (several hours)
Primary Effect
Intense euphoria and alertness
Deep relaxation and sedation
Compare with Definitions
Crack
A solid form of cocaine that is heated and smoked.
He found it hard to quit smoking crack despite its severe health risks.
Smack
Street slang for heroin, an opioid drug.
Smack usage has been rising in urban areas.
Crack
Immediate physical and psychological effects of smoking crack.
The crack effects include rapid heart rate and intense euphoria.
Smack
Symptoms that occur when a person stops taking heroin.
Smack withdrawal is extremely painful without medical help.
Crack
A small pipe used specifically for smoking crack.
Police found a crack pipe at the scene of the arrest.
Smack
A chronic condition involving the need to continually use heroin.
Smack addiction requires comprehensive treatment strategies.
Crack
A severe dependency on crack characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior.
Crack addiction can lead to devastating socio-economic consequences.
Smack
The impact of heroin on the body and mind.
Long-term smack effects include respiratory depression and potential brain damage.
Crack
An intense, short-lived euphoria from smoking crack.
The crack high compels users to repeatedly seek the drug.
Smack
A prolonged state of sedation and euphoria from heroin use.
He was seeking the smack high to escape reality.
Crack
To break without complete separation of parts
The mirror cracked.
Smack
A sharp slap or blow, typically one given with the palm of the hand
She gave Mark a smack across the face
Crack
To break or snap apart
The branch cracked off and fell.
Smack
A flavour or taste of
Anything with even a modest smack of hops dries the palate
Crack
To make a sharp snapping sound
His knees cracked as he sat down.
Smack
A single-masted sailing boat used for coasting or fishing
The village still harbours a few fishing smacks
Crack
To break down; fail
The defendant's composure finally began to crack.
Smack
Heroin
I was out scoring smack
Crack
To have a mental or physical breakdown
Cracked under the pressure.
Smack
Strike (someone or something), typically with the palm of the hand and as a punishment
Jessica smacked his face, quite hard
Crack
To change sharply in pitch or timbre, as from hoarseness or emotion. Used of the voice.
Smack
Part (one's lips) noisily in eager anticipation or enjoyment of food or drink
Morgan drank half the Scotch and smacked his lips
Crack
To move or go rapidly
Was cracking along at 70 miles an hour.
Smack
Crack (a whip)
The four postilions smacked their whips in concert
Crack
(Chemistry) To break into simpler molecules, often by means of heat or a catalyst.
Smack
Have a flavour of; taste of
The tea smacked strongly of tannin
Crack
To cause to break without complete separation of parts
The pebble cracked the car's windshield.
Smack
In a sudden and violent way
I ran smack into the back of a parked truck
Crack
To cause to break with a sharp snapping sound
Crack nuts.
Smack
Exactly; precisely
Our mother's house was smack in the middle of the city
Crack
To crush (corn or wheat, for example) into small pieces.
Smack
To press together and open (the lips) quickly and noisily, as in eating or tasting.
Crack
To strike, especially with a sharp sound
Cracked the intruder over the head with a lamp.
Smack
To kiss noisily.
Crack
To cause to come into forceful contact with something, especially with a sharp sound
Fell and cracked his head against the floor.
Smack
To strike sharply and with a loud noise.
Crack
To open to a slight extent
Crack a window to let in some air.
Smack
To make or give a smack.
Crack
To break open or into
Crack a safe.
Smack
To collide sharply and noisily
The ball smacked against the side of the house.
Crack
To open up for use or consumption
Crack a book.
Cracked a beer.
Smack
To have a distinctive flavor or taste. Used with of.
Crack
To break through (an obstacle) in order to win acceptance or acknowledgment
Finally cracked the "men-only" rule at the club.
Smack
To give an indication; be suggestive. Often used with of
"an agenda that does not smack of compromise" (Time).
Crack
To discover the solution to, especially after considerable effort
Crack a code.
Smack
The loud sharp sound of smacking.
Crack
To cause (the voice) to crack.
Smack
A noisy kiss.
Crack
(Informal) To tell (a joke), especially on impulse or in an effective manner.
Smack
A sharp blow or slap.
Crack
To cause to have a mental or physical breakdown.
Smack
A distinctive flavor or taste.
Crack
To impair or destroy
Their rude remarks cracked his equanimity.
Smack
A suggestion or trace.
Crack
To reduce (petroleum) to simpler compounds by cracking.
Smack
A small amount; a smattering.
Crack
A partial split or break; a fissure
Cracks in the basement wall.
Smack
A fishing boat sailing under various rigs, according to size, and often having a well used to transport the catch to market.
Crack
A slight narrow space
The window was open a crack.
Smack
Heroin.
Crack
(Informal) The fissure between the buttocks.
Smack
With a smack
Fell smack on her head.
Crack
A defect or flaw
Cracks in the argument.
A crack in his composure.
Smack
Directly
"We were smack in the middle of another controversy about a public man's personal life" (Ellen Goodman).
Crack
A sharp snapping sound, such as the report of a firearm.
Smack
A distinct flavor, especially if slight.
Rice pudding with a smack of cinnamon
Crack
A sharp resounding blow
Gave him a crack on the head.
Smack
A slight trace of something; a smattering.
Crack
A breaking, harshly dissonant vocal tone or sound, as in hoarseness.
Smack
Heroin.
Crack
An attempt or try
Gave him a crack at the job.
Took a crack at photography.
Smack
(Northern England) A form of fried potato; a scallop.
Crack
A witty or sarcastic remark.
Smack
A small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade and often called a fishing smack
Crack
A moment; an instant
At the crack of dawn.
Smack
A group of jellyfish.
Crack
(Irish) Fun had when socializing; social amusement.
Smack
A sharp blow; a slap. See also: spank.
Crack
(Slang) Crack cocaine.
Smack
The sound of a loud kiss.
Crack
Excelling in skill or achievement; first-rate
A crack shot.
A crack tennis player.
Smack
A quick, sharp noise, as of the lips when suddenly separated, or of a whip.
Crack
(intransitive) To form cracks.
It's been so dry, the ground is starting to crack.
Smack
(transitive) To get the flavor of.
Crack
(intransitive) To break apart under force, stress, or pressure.
When I tried to stand on the chair, it cracked.
Smack
(intransitive) To have a particular taste; used with of.
Crack
(intransitive) To become debilitated by psychological pressure.
Anyone would crack after being hounded like that.
Smack
(intransitive) To indicate or suggest something; used with of.
Her reckless behavior smacks of pride.
Crack
(intransitive) To break down or yield, especially under interrogation or torture.
When we showed him the pictures of the murder scene, he cracked.
Smack
To slap or hit someone.
Crack
(intransitive) To make a cracking sound.
The bat cracked with authority and the ball went for six.
Smack
To make a smacking sound.
Crack
To change rapidly in register.
His voice cracked with emotion.
Smack
(especially outside of North America) To strike a child (usually on the buttocks) as a form of discipline. (normal U.S. and Canadian term spank)
Crack
To alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering.
His voice finally cracked when he was fourteen.
Smack
To wetly separate the lips, making a noise, after tasting something or in expectation of a treat.
Crack
(intransitive) To make a sharply humorous comment.
"I would too, with a face like that," she cracked.
Smack
To kiss with a close compression of the lips, so as to make a sound when they separate.
Crack
To realize that one is transgender.
She cracked at age 22 and came out to her friends and family over the next few months.
Smack
As if with a smack or slap; smartly; sharply.
Right smack bang in the middle.
Crack
(transitive) To make a crack or cracks in.
The ball cracked the window.
Smack
A small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade.
Crack
(transitive) To break open or crush to small pieces by impact or stress.
You'll need a hammer to crack a black walnut.
Smack
Taste or flavor, esp. a slight taste or flavor; savor; tincture; as, a smack of bitter in the medicine. Also used figuratively.
So quickly they have taken a smack in covetousness.
They felt the smack of this world.
Crack
(transitive) To strike forcefully.
She cracked him over the head with her handbag.
Smack
A small quantity; a taste.
Crack
(transitive) To open slightly.
Could you please crack the window?
Smack
A loud kiss; a buss.
Crack
To cause to yield under interrogation or other pressure.
They managed to crack him on the third day.
Smack
A quick, sharp noise, as of the lips when suddenly separated, or of a whip.
Crack
To solve a difficult problem.
I've finally cracked it, and of course the answer is obvious in hindsight.
Smack
A quick, smart blow; a slap.
Crack
(transitive) To overcome a security system or component.
It took a minute to crack the lock, three minutes to crack the security system, and about twenty minutes to crack the safe.
They finally cracked the code.
Smack
A slang term for heroin.
Crack
(transitive) To cause to make a sharp sound.
To crack a whip
Smack
As if with a smack or slap.
Crack
(transitive) To tell (a joke).
The performance was fine until he cracked that dead baby joke.
Smack
To have a smack; to be tinctured with any particular taste.
Crack
To break down (a complex molecule), especially with the application of heat: to pyrolyse.
Acetone is cracked to ketene and methane at 700°C.
Smack
To have or exhibit indications of the presence of any character or quality.
All sects, all ages, smack of this vice.
Crack
To circumvent software restrictions such as regional coding or time limits.
That software licence will expire tomorrow unless we can crack it.
Smack
To kiss with a close compression of the lips, so as to make a sound when they separate; to kiss with a sharp noise; to buss.
Crack
To open a canned beverage, or any packaged drink or food.
I'd love to crack open a beer.
Let's crack a tube and watch the game.
Smack
To make a noise by the separation of the lips after tasting anything.
Crack
(obsolete) To brag; to boast.
Smack
To kiss with a sharp noise; to buss.
Crack
To be ruined or impaired; to fail.
Smack
To open, as the lips, with an inarticulate sound made by a quick compression and separation of the parts of the mouth; to make a noise with, as the lips, by separating them in the act of kissing or after tasting.
Drinking off the cup, and smacking his lips with an air of ineffable relish.
Crack
(colloquial) To barely reach, attain to (a measurement, extent).
An underground band that never cracked the Hot 100
Smack
To make a sharp noise by striking; to crack; as, to smack a whip.
Crack
A thin and usually jagged space opened in a previously solid material.
A large crack had formed in the roadway.
Smack
A blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
Crack
A narrow opening.
We managed to squeeze through a crack in the rock wall.
Open the door a crack.
Smack
The taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth
Crack
A sharply humorous comment; a wisecrack.
I didn't appreciate that crack about my hairstyle.
Smack
A sailing ship (usually rigged like a sloop or cutter) used in fishing and sailing along the coast
Crack
(slang) Crack cocaine, a potent, relatively cheap, addictive variety of cocaine; often a rock, usually smoked through a crack-pipe.
Crack head
Smack
Street names for heroin
Crack
Something good-tasting or habit-forming.
Smack
An enthusiastic kiss
Crack
(onomatopoeia) The sharp sound made when solid material breaks.
The crack of the falling branch could be heard for miles.
Smack
The act of smacking something; a blow delivered with an open hand
Crack
(onomatopoeia) Any sharp sound.
The crack of the bat hitting the ball.
Smack
Deliver a hard blow to;
The teacher smacked the student who had misbehaved
Crack
A sharp, resounding blow.
Smack
Have an element suggestive (of something);
His speeches smacked of racism
Crack
(informal) An attempt at something.
I'd like to take a crack at that game.
Smack
Have a distinctive or characteristic taste;
This tastes of nutmeg
Crack
(informal) The space between the buttocks.
Pull up your pants! Your crack is showing.
Smack
Kiss lightly
Crack
Conviviality; fun; good conversation, chat, gossip, or humorous storytelling; good company.
The party was great crack.
Smack
Eat noisily by smacking one's lips
Crack
Business; events; news.
What's the crack?
What's this crack about a possible merger?
Smack
Directly;
He ran bang into the pole
Ran slap into her
Crack
(computing) A program or procedure designed to circumvent restrictions or usage limits on software.
Has anyone got a crack for DocumentWriter 3.0?
Crack
An expanding circle of white water surrounding the site of a large explosion at shallow depth, marking the progress of the shock wave through the air above the water.A nuclear explosion in shallow water; the crack is clearly visible on the water's surface.
Crack
A meaningful chat.
Crack
(Internet slang) Extremely silly, absurd or off-the-wall ideas or prose.
Crack
The tone of voice when changed at puberty.
Crack
(archaic) A mental flaw; a touch of craziness; partial insanity.
He has a crack.
Crack
(archaic) A crazy or crack-brained person.
Crack
(obsolete) A boast; boasting.
Crack
(obsolete) Breach of chastity.
Crack
(obsolete) A boy, generally a pert, lively boy.
Crack
A brief time; an instant; a jiffy.
I'll be with you in a crack.
Crack
(obsolete) One who excels; the best.
Crack
Highly trained and competent.
Even a crack team of investigators would have trouble solving this case.
Crack
Excellent, first-rate, superior, top-notch.
She's a crack shot with that rifle.
Crack
To break or burst, with or without entire separation of the parts; as, to crack glass; to crack nuts.
Crack
To rend with grief or pain; to affect deeply with sorrow; hence, to disorder; to distract; to craze.
O, madam, my old heart is cracked.
He thought none poets till their brains were cracked.
Crack
To cause to sound suddenly and sharply; to snap; as, to crack a whip.
Crack
To utter smartly and sententiously; as, to crack a joke.
Crack
To cry up; to extol; - followed by up.
Crack
To burst or open in chinks; to break, with or without quite separating into parts.
By misfortune it cracked in the coling.
The mirror cracked from side to side.
Crack
To be ruined or impaired; to fail.
The credit . . . of exchequers cracks, when little comes in and much goes out.
Crack
To utter a loud or sharp, sudden sound.
As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack.
Crack
To utter vain, pompous words; to brag; to boast; - with of.
Ethoipes of their sweet complexion crack.
Crack
A partial separation of parts, with or without a perceptible opening; a chink or fissure; a narrow breach; a crevice; as, a crack in timber, or in a wall, or in glass.
Crack
Rupture; flaw; breach, in a moral sense.
My love to thee is sound, sans crack or flaw.
Crack
A sharp, sudden sound or report; the sound of anything suddenly burst or broken; as, the crack of a falling house; the crack of thunder; the crack of a whip.
Will the stretch out to the crack of doom?
Crack
The tone of voice when changed at puberty.
Though now our voicesHave got the mannish crack.
Crack
Mental flaw; a touch of craziness; partial insanity; as, he has a crack.
Crack
A crazy or crack-brained person.
I . . . can not get the Parliament to listen to me, who look upon me as a crack and a projector.
Crack
A boast; boasting.
Crack
Breach of chastity.
Crack
A boy, generally a pert, lively boy.
Val. 'T is a noble child. Vir. A crack, madam.
Crack
A brief time; an instant; as, to be with one in a crack.
Crack
Free conversation; friendly chat.
What is crack in English? . . . A crack is . . . a chat with a good, kindly human heart in it.
Crack
A witty remark; a wisecrack.
Crack
A chance or opportunity to do something; an attempt; as, I'll take a crack at it.
Crack
A form of cocaine, highly purified and prepared as small pellets, especially suitable for smoking; - also called rock. Used in this form it appears to be more addicting than cocaine powder.
Crack
Of superior excellence; having qualities to be boasted of; as, a crack shot.
One of our crack speakers in the Commons.
Crack
A long narrow opening
Crack
A narrow opening;
He opened the window a crack
Crack
A long narrow depression in a surface
Crack
A sudden sharp noise;
The crack of a whip
He heard the cracking of the ice
He can hear the snap of a twig
Crack
A chance to do something;
He wanted a shot at the champion
Crack
Witty remark
Crack
A blemish resulting from a break without complete separation of the parts;
There was a crack in the mirror
Crack
A purified and potent form of cocaine that is smoked rather than snorted
Crack
A usually brief attempt;
He took a crack at it
I gave it a whirl
Crack
The act of cracking something
Crack
Become fractured; break or crack on the surface only;
The glass cracked when it was heated
Crack
Make a sharp sound;
His fingers snapped
Crack
Hit forcefully; deal a hard blow, making a cracking noise;
The teacher cracked him across the face with a ruler
Crack
Pass through (a barrier);
Registrations cracked through the 30,000 mark in the county
Crack
Break partially but keep its integrity;
The glass cracked
Crack
Break suddenly and abruptly, as under tension;
The rope snapped
Crack
Suffer a nervous breakdown
Crack
Tell spontaneously;
Crack a joke
Crack
Cause to become cracked;
Heat and light cracked the back of the leather chair
Crack
Reduce (petroleum) to a simpler compound by cracking
Crack
Break into simpler molecules by means of heat;
The petroleum cracked
Crack
Of the highest quality;
An ace reporter
A crack shot
A first-rate golfer
A super party
Played top-notch tennis
An athlete in tiptop condition
She is absolutely tops
Common Curiosities
How is crack used?
Crack is typically smoked using a small pipe.
What are the effects of smoking crack?
Smoking crack causes rapid euphoria, heightened alertness, and potential for severe addiction.
How does crack affect health?
Crack can lead to serious respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological issues.
Is crack illegal?
Yes, crack is illegal and possession or distribution can result in severe legal penalties.
What is smack?
Smack is a slang term for heroin, an opioid drug derived from the opium poppy.
How is smack used?
Smack can be injected, snorted, or smoked.
What is crack cocaine?
Crack cocaine is a form of cocaine that can be smoked, known for causing intense but short-lived highs.
How does smack affect health?
Heroin use can cause severe physical dependence, overdose risks, and diseases from needle use.
What are the effects of using smack?
Smack produces deep relaxation, sedation, and euphoria, but also high risks of addiction and overdose.
Is smack illegal?
Yes, smack is illegal and known to have strict penalties for trafficking and possession.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
