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

Relevance
2
3
4
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
The English-language remakes of the Culpables movies and the Spanish-language originals have crushed the latest Prime Video viewing charts. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 24 June 2026 Although sentiment is weak, bitcoin’s decline has been more muted than the crushing drawdowns that characterized previous crypto winters. Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 24 June 2026
Noun
There’s something soothing about having your first, real crush, and those butterflies in your stomach that feel even stronger when that crush walks by. Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026 Yakkity’s impulsiveness and wisecracking jokes provide the laughs, while Keo’s rivalry with his father (and his crush on Lemony) ground the show with genuine emotional dynamics. Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for crush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crush
Verb
  • They can be mixed into soups or stews, mashed to make butter bean dip, incorporated into salads, or added to dishes with ground meat, such as tacos.
    Sarah Bradley, Health, 23 June 2026
  • WestJet’s first took flight in 1996 while Tool Shed first mashed in in 2012.
    Don Tse, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Newsom has not said if the newer version of the bill quells this concern.
    Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
  • For those who are worried, this might help to quell fears.
    Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • So Norway’s chefs brought their own coffee beans and grind every morning.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 29 June 2026
  • If tension surfaces in a chat or client meeting, ground yourself by restating the facts, then suggest a next step everyone can accept.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Cold water shock impairs breathing and can overwhelm even strong swimmers within seconds.
    Kara Fox, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
  • Along the highway linking Caracas to the coast, streams of civilians carried water, food, and medicine toward La Guaira on foot and by motorcycle, stepping in as the scale of the disaster overwhelmed the official effort.
    Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 in its final group-play match to squeeze into the knockout stages for just the second time, advancing as a third-place team.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
  • There was Paris squeezed between meetings on a fleeting work trip.
    Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • The social calendar is crammed.
    Mark Seliger, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • The growing interest in quietcations reflects a broader realization that well-being isn't restored by cramming more experiences into a vacation.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • The body-hugging jean aligns with the viral phenomenon centered on maximizing physical attractiveness through deliberate changes to appearance, grooming, fitness, style and medical procedures.
    Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 24 June 2026
  • So the glasses hug your face without adding pressure to the nasal bridge or behind the ears.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • The real-life Space Camp at the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, was a dream destination for any kid with an interest in science, math, and space exploration — the ultimate trip for tweens and teens with a passion for science and technology.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 27 June 2026
  • Maybe World Cup visitors' passion for America's favorite condiment has reawakened some national pride here.
    Scott Simon, NPR, 27 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crush. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on crush

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster