crush

verb

\ˈkrəsh

crushed; crushing; crushes

Definition of crush

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to squeeze or force by pressure so as to alter or destroy structure crush grapes

b : to squeeze together into a mass She crushed her clothes into a bag.

2 : hug, embrace She crushed her child to her breast.

3 : to reduce to particles by pounding or grinding crush rock

4a : to suppress or overwhelm as if by pressure or weight

b : to oppress or burden grievously crushed by debt

c : to subdue completely The rebellion was crushed.

d : to cause overwhelming emotional pain to (someone) Her insults crushed him.

5 : crowd, push were crushed into the elevator

6 archaic : drink

intransitive verb

1 obsolete : crash

2 : to become crushed The stewed tomatoes crush easily.

3 : to advance with or as if with crushing The crowd crushed ruthlessly toward the exit.

crush

noun

Definition of crush (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an act of crushing

2 : the quantity of material crushed

3a : a crowding together (as of people)

b : crowd, mob especially : a crowd of people pressing against one another

4 : an intense and usually passing infatuation have a crush on someone also : the object of infatuation

Other Words from crush Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about crush

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from crush

Verb

crushable \ ˈkrə-shə-bəl

\ adjective

crusher noun

crushingly adverb

Noun

crushproof \ ˈkrəsh-ˌprüf

\ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for crush

Noun

crowd, throng, horde, crush, mob mean an assembled multitude. crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together. a crowd gathered throng and horde suggest movement and pushing. a throng of reporters a horde of shoppers crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort. a crush of fans mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence. an angry mob

Examples of crush in a Sentence

Verb

Unfortunately some of the flowers got crushed when we were moving them. The bicycle was crushed under the truck's tires. The machine crushes the cans so that they can be stored until they are recycled. Her arm was crushed in the accident. Crush the nuts and sprinkle them on top of the cake. The rocks were crushed into dust.

Noun

Yesterday I saw my old high school crush for the first time in five years. The crush in the train station is at its worst during the afternoon rush hour. Outside the hotel stood a crush of reporters waiting for her arrival.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The confirmation battle ahead will place the court under crushing pressure. — James Hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Five times Anthony Kennedy was the fifth vote shows the significance of his retirement," 28 June 2018 Messi finished by crushing a shot with his right foot past the goalkeeper. — Pete Grathoff, kansascity, "Here is the sensational goal Argentina's Lionel Messi scored at World Cup," 26 June 2018 Meanwhile Venezuela’s tragic experiment in socialism is ending the way such experiments always do: with crushing poverty and violence. — James Freeman, WSJ, "Bernie Sanders and the Misery of Socialism," 25 June 2018 Let cool; crush into large pieces with a measuring cup or glass. — Molly Baz, Bon Appetit, "Marinated Zucchini with Hazelnuts and Ricotta," 28 May 2018 That would be a reversal after Indonesia’s success in crushing the network responsible for a horrific bombing in Bali in 2002, in which 202 people were killed. — The Economist, "Islamists in Indonesia deploy their own children in suicide attacks," 17 May 2018 The Warriors took a 3-1 lead in the series after crushing the Pelicans 118-92 on Sunday at Smoothie King Center, powered by 38 points and nine rebounds from All-Star forward Kevin Durant. — William Guillory, NOLA.com, "New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors, NBA Playoffs Game 5: TV, streaming info," 8 May 2018 Rhys Hoskins kickstarted the Phillies’ five-run second inning Thursday night by crushing a pitch through a stiff wind and over the left-field fence at Citizens Bank Park. — Scott Lauber, Philly.com, "Phillies, Rhys Hoskins don't panic with two strikes," 20 Apr. 2018 Roethlisberger has gone 21-2 against the Browns in the regular season, and still revels in crushing the team that passed on him in the 2004 draft. — Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com, "Why the Cleveland Browns' 2018 schedule is brutal: Mary Kay Cabot," 20 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

They were recently caught talking about Ryan's fake twin brother, and joking about their mutual crush on Hugh Jackman. — Isabel Greenberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Blake Lively Trolls Ryan Reynolds About Cheating on Him with Her Costar," 21 June 2018 If you, too, are disturbed by your own crush on Dan Stevens as a literal beast, maybe this gif of him in a CGI outfit will help. — Mehera Bonner, Marie Claire, "The Best Daniel Movies Ranked by Overwhelming Hotness," 1 June 2018 The 7-foot-2 big man has modified his nickname since an orbital bone fracture has required him to don a black mask that’s been compared to the Gucci balaclava his celebrity crush Rihanna recently wore at Coachella. — Dan Deluca, Philly.com, "Why Meek Mill and the Sixers are made for each other," 27 Apr. 2018 In the Oasis, there are solo players like Parzival and his VR-crush Art3mis (Olivia Cooke) who believe deeply in the game and its maker. — Jake Coyle, kansascity, "Spielberg romps through the past in ‘Ready Player One’ | The Kansas City Star," 28 Mar. 2018 Her life grows more exciting when she's asked out on a date by her longtime crush. — Detroit Free Press, "New movies: 'Pacific Rim Uprising,' 'Sherlock Gnomes,' 'Midnight Sun'," 21 Mar. 2018 Rashida Jones is always a welcome presence, but her character Cheryl, a longtime crush of both Chilli and Bob, is only there to stir up some tension between the pals (at Jerry's devious design) and not much else. — Author: Katie Walsh, Anchorage Daily News, "Review: Like the game, ‘Tag’ is a whole lot of fun," 14 June 2018 If last year’s food tents were any indication, consider having a snack on you at all times; brave the crush, though, and you’ll be rewarded with eats from the likes of Roy Choi’s Kogi and Brian Dunsmoor’s Hatchet Hall. — Marielle Wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "The 8 Best Things Going On In L.A. This Weekend," 21 June 2018 With the opening shoegazing strums, Placebo taps into late summer anxieties by relating the changing of seasons to the inescapable crush of time. — Billboard Staff, Billboard, "The 50 Greatest Deep Cuts of 1998: Critics' Picks," 31 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crush.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.