smash

1 of 3

noun

ˈsmash 

1

a

: a smashing blow or attack

b

: a hard overhand stroke (as in tennis or badminton)

2

a

: the action or sound of smashing

especially : a wreck due to collision : crash

b

: utter collapse : ruin

3

: a striking success

smash

2 of 3

verb

smashed; smashing; smashes

transitive verb

1

: to break or crush by violence

2

a

: to drive or throw violently especially with a shattering or battering effect

also : to effect in this way

b

: to hit violently : batter

c(1)

: to hit (something, such as a tennis ball) with a hard overhand stroke

(2)

: to drive (a ball) with a forceful stroke

3

: to destroy utterly : wreck

intransitive verb

1

: to move or become propelled with violence or crashing effect

smashed into a tree

2

: to become wrecked

3

: to go to pieces suddenly under collision or pressure

smasher noun

smash

3 of 3

adjective

: being a smash : outstanding

a smash hit

Synonyms of smash

Noun

• collision
• thump
• crash
• slam
• shock
• jolt

Verb

• shatter
• destroy

Examples of smash in a Sentence

Noun

The new movie is a smash.

She was a smash at the party.

His new song promises to be a smash hit.

The vase fell to the ground with a loud smash.

She hit an overhand smash that won the match.

Verb

He smashed the vase with a hammer.

The ball smashed the window.

The vase fell and smashed to pieces.

He smashed into the wall.

She smashed the ball deep into the opposite corner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After checking out a preview, Deadline spoke to director Kōshi Nakanishi and producer Masato Kumazawa about what fans can expect from what is sure to be Capcom’s next horror smash-hit. —Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026

The smash has only spent 15 frames somewhere on the 200-spot tally, with one-third of all of those stints in the penthouse. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Verb

Except Homer is wearing a backwards baseball cap, yelling about Minecraft, and asking his audience to smash the like button. —Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

The buck smashed a window at a Webster Bank in Suffolk County before officers were able to get it back outside. —Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

Adjective

The first season under Daboll was a smash success, as the Giants went 9-7-1 and won a playoff game in Minnesota. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026

From triple smash burgers, to sushi, to chicken shwarma, to homemade pizza, to protein smoothies, salads and specialty gelato, there's something for everyone. —Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps blend of smack entry 4 and mash entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1725, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1764, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1923, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing smash

• smash-and-grab
• smash burger
• smash down
• smash in
• smash to smithereens

Rhymes for smash

• ash
• bash
• brash
• cache
• cash
• clash
• crash
• dash
• flash
• gash
• hash
• lash

Kids Definition

smash

1 of 2 verb

ˈsmash 

1

: to break into pieces by violence : shatter

2

: to drive, throw, or move violently especially with a destructive effect

3

: to destroy completely : wreck

4

: to go to pieces suddenly : collapse

smasher noun

smash

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a heavy blow or attack

b

: a hard overhand stroke (as in tennis)

2

: the condition of being smashed

3

a

: the action or sound of smashing

especially : a wreck due to collision : crash

b

: complete collapse : ruin

especially : bankruptcy

4

: a striking success : hit

the new play is a smash