crush

play

verb \ ˈkrəsh \

Definition of crush

transitive verb

1 a :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

4 a :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.

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.

—

crushable

play \ˈkrə-shə-bəl\ adjective

—

crusher

noun

—

crushingly

adverb

See crush defined for English-language learners

See crush defined for kids

Examples of crush in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of crush from the Web

The trial is the latest chapter in a decadelong struggle by the nation's elite minority to crush the powerful political machine founded by Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a 2006 coup.

— kaweewit kaewjinda and todd pitman, chicagotribune.com, "Thai military ruler says authorities searching for ex-prime minister," 25 Aug. 2017
The case is the latest chapter in a decade-long struggle by the nation’s elite minority to crush the powerful political machine founded by Yingluck’s brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in another coup in 2006.

— todd pitman, The Seattle Times, "Supporters, government await verdict against Thai ex-PM," 24 Aug. 2017
C.E.O. Mark Zuckerberg has responded by using that data to crush his competitors, acquiring, imitating, or otherwise neutralizing any rival start-up—like group video-chatting app Houseparty, which Facebook recently copied.

— maya kosoff, The Hive, "Facebook Is Facing a Demographic Time Bomb," 22 Aug. 2017
After a moment of quiet, Kevin crushed the cigarette and turned into their tiny square in the shelter, rooms wrapped in pale yellow walls and vinyl floors that never felt clean.

— alden woods, azcentral, "$200 from home: Renters in the housing crisis are often stuck between help and affordability," 17 Aug. 2017
Scoop the ice cream into bowls and crush a meringue cookie or two on top. Pour the warm espresso over ice cream and serve.

— ellise pierce, star-telegram, "These French-inspired desserts are deliciously simple," 14 Aug. 2017
That image was crushed in 2008 with the advent of the stellar S 1000 RR.

— joe michaud, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2017 BMW S 1000 R: Muscular roadster is naked, unafraid," 10 Aug. 2017
That last scene, two trusting people crushed in the service of a higher cause, set the gray tone of moral ambiguity that colored le Carré’s subsequent work.

— david ignatius, The Atlantic, "John le Carré Goes Back Into the Cold," 8 Aug. 2017
Any mention of my buddy and man crush — Vice President Mike Pence — should be completely off limits.

— joseph gerth, The Courier-Journal, "A 'Matt Bevin letter' to make Fancy Farm better | Joseph Gerth," 2 Aug. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of crush

Middle English crusshen, from Anglo-French croissir, croistre, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Low German krossen to crush

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

crush Synonyms

Synonyms

mash, pulp, squash

Related Words

press, squeeze; beat, pound, powder, pulverize

Near Antonyms

abet, aid, assist, back, help, prop up, support; foment, incite, instigate, provoke, stir, whip (up); advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote

crush

noun

Definition of crush

1 :an act of crushing

2 :the quantity of material crushed

3 a :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

—

crushproof

play \ˈkrəsh-ˌprüf\ adjective

See crush defined for English-language learners

Examples of crush in a Sentence

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 of crush from the Web

As Agnes negotiates her first weeks of collegiate life with a quirky roommate and a crush on a seemingly unattainable guy, there’s a suggestion of whimsy that might have worked against the novel’s challenging themes.

— pamela erens, New York Times, "‘Motherest’ Wrestles With the Contradictions of Parental Love," 23 Aug. 2017
Airbnb argues that allowing home rentals gives cities more flexibility to absorb a crush of visitors.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "Visiting the Carolinas to see the Aug. 21 solar eclipse? Better book your room now.," 27 July 2017
In the high school alone, there’s the too-cool Michelle (Zendaya), the crush Liz (Laura Harrier) and the adorable breakout best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon).

— lindsey bahr, idahostatesman, "Holland, cast delight in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’," 6 July 2017
Fireworks fans who want to avoid the heat of summer of the crush of the crowd this Fourth of July can take in the Wawa Welcome America festivities on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from the comfort of their own homes this year, courtesy of NBC10.

— nick vadala, Philly.com, "Where to watch Wawa Welcome America concert, fireworks on TV," 28 June 2017
Last week, the internet discovered a new silver fox celebrity crush: Steve Carell.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Steve Carell Knows You Think He's Hot," 27 June 2017
Thissen brings a Minneapolis voice to the crush of names vying for governor.

— rachel e. stassen-berger, Twin Cities, "Former House Speaker Thissen adds his name to crush of gubernatorial candidates," 15 June 2017
SELF: Steele Walker Baseball player at OU #1 & Kyler Murray football player at OU #1 Celebrity crush?

— brian gosset, star-telegram.com, "Player Spotlight: Richland grad Trae Self," 15 June 2017
But Kathie Lee chided Hoda's longtime crush on Blake Shelton, noting that he's currently taken by none other than Gwen Stefani.

— megan friedman, Country Living, "Kathie Lee and Hoda Just Totally Stole the Show at the CMT Awards," 7 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of crush

see ¹crush

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1599

See Words from the same year

crush Synonyms

Synonyms

infatuation, mash, passion

Related Words

fixation, obsession; affection, devotion, fondness, love; craze, fad, rage, vogue

Synonym Discussion of crush

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

CRUSH Defined for English Language Learners

crush

play

verb

Definition of crush for English Language Learners

: to press or squeeze (something) so hard that it breaks or loses its shape
: to break (something) into a powder or very small pieces by pressing, pounding, or grinding it
: to defeat (a person or group that opposes you) by using a lot of force

crush

noun

Definition of crush for English Language Learners

: a strong feeling of romantic love for someone that is usually not expressed and does not last a long time
: the person on whom you have a crush
: a crowd of people who are pressed close together

CRUSH Defined for Kids

crush

play

verb \ ˈkrəsh \

Definition of crush for Students

crushed; crushing

1 :to squeeze together so as to change or destroy the natural shape or condition

We crush grapes for their juice.

2 :to break into fine pieces by pressure

The machine crushes stone.

3 :overwhelm 1

crush an enemy

4 :to defeat in spirit

The injury crushed her hopes of winning.

crush

noun

Definition of crush for Students

1 :a tightly packed crowd

He got caught in the crush of holiday shoppers.

2 :a foolish or very strong liking :infatuation

Libby has a crush on a lifeguard named Freddie.
—Judy Blume, Sheila the Great

Learn More about crush

See words that rhyme with crush Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for crush Spanish Central: Translation of crush Nglish: Translation of crush for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of crush for Arabic speakers

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crush

Definition of crush

crushable

crusher

crushingly

From the M-W Editors

Examples of crush in a Sentence

Recent Examples of crush from the Web

Origin and Etymology of crush

crush Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

crush

Definition of crush

crushproof

Examples of crush in a Sentence

Recent Examples of crush from the Web

Origin and Etymology of crush

crush Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of crush

Phrases Related to CRUSH

Related Phrases

CRUSH Defined for English Language Learners

crush

Definition of crush for English Language Learners

crush

Definition of crush for English Language Learners

CRUSH Defined for Kids

crush

Definition of crush for Students

crush

Definition of crush for Students

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