Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She and González had cranked the air conditioner way up, filling the hall with cool air, and she took a moment to enjoy it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 4, 2026
But by August, economists had cranked out at least four different studies that failed to find evidence jobless aid had significantly weighed on employment overall.
From Slate ● Sep. 4, 2020
Open—but wasn’t close to the Furyk who had cranked out top-10 finishes.
From Golf Digest ● Jan. 29, 2020
Shields had cranked up the heat; the air was warm and smelled of menthol and maple syrup, remnants of her Icy Hot lotion and breakfast.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 15, 2020
Among the trees, upon a lawn, someone had cranked up a portable phonograph and now it was playing softly.
From "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury
