crush 1 of 2

Definition of crushnext
1
as in to mash
to cause to become a pulpy mass dark-colored grapes that will be crushed to make red wine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
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5
as in to squeeze
to apply external pressure on so as to force out the juice or contents of after crushing the grapes, let the skins soak in the juice in order to extract some color

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
as in to cram
to fit (people or things) into a tight space the desperate refugees were crushed into the back of the truck

Synonyms & Similar Words

7

crush

2 of 2

noun

1
as in passion
a strong but often short-lived liking for another person fondly remembers the crush that she had on a boy one summer long ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

2

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun crush differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crush are crowd, horde, mob, and throng. While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort.

a crush of fans

When might crowd be a better fit than crush?

While the synonyms crowd and crush are close in meaning, crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together.

a crowd gathered

When is mob a more appropriate choice than crush?

The words mob and crush can be used in similar contexts, but mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence.

an angry mob

How do throng and horde relate to one another, in the sense of crush?

Both throng and horde suggest movement and pushing.

a throng of reporters
a horde of shoppers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crush
Verb
Guerrero’s confidence and ball-crushing ability are linked, Popkins said. Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 13 May 2026 Some big winners and some stocks that get crushed. Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 13 May 2026
Noun
Built with durable cable and crush-resistant zinc alloy, these locks are made to withstand years of use and rough handling. Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026 Brandy, a close friend of Kianna’s, told Childs that the male friend had a crush on Kianna, but Kianna didn’t feel the same way about him, Childs said. Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for crush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crush
Verb
  • The video went viral, and Mahan mashed it up with now-infamous clips of Porter walking out of a different interview earlier in the campaign cycle.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
  • Rather than using meat, add chickpeas or beans to tacos, burritos, or mashed in sandwiches.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • Later in the video, Rogers used a fire extinguisher to quell some of the flames on the exterior of the door.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
  • This effort to include everyone did not quell protests.
    Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Whereas most of his teammates got their start playing high school and college ball, Natty began by grinding it out in the Northern California mountain town of Lake Tahoe, the Washington Nationals said in a news release.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 12 May 2026
  • But public health experts say this isn’t like the early days of COVID, when cruise ships were ground zero for outbreaks and hospitals were overwhelmed with sick patients doctors weren’t sure how to treat.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Aging in ex-bourbon oak barrels adds vanilla and caramel notes without overwhelming the spirit’s lighter structure.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • To allow your anger at the cosmic unluckiness of a friend’s far-too-early passing be overwhelmed by your gratitude at the cosmic luckiness of ever having met them at all.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • On the Right, Israel is being squeezed by a smaller faction of the Make America Great Again movement that wants to pare back all American foreign aid.
    David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 16 May 2026
  • Gas prices are continuing to squeeze drivers at the pump.
    Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • Instead of cramming an itinerary, dark sky travelers often build trips around a single celestial event or a multi-night stay somewhere remote enough to actually see the stars.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
  • The flexible upper also allows for some stretch, so your feet won’t ever feel like they’re crammed into the shoe.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson star in the writer-director’s third feature film, which received a six-minute standing ovation on Wednesday night as Schoenbrun hugged their stars to roaring applause and cheers from the crowd.
    Angelique Jackson, Variety, 13 May 2026
  • At one point, Schoenbrun mimicked smoking a joint and hugged their stars.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • Amarteifio and Edebiri have an understated chemistry that makes the covert passion between these two women believable.
    Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
  • Meanwhile, Cervejaria Blumenau brings new flavors to the scene with passion-fruit sours, peach ales, double IPAs, and blonde ales that proudly embrace their Brazilian roots.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crush. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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