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

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Other Words from crush

Verb

crushable \ ˈkrə-shə-bəl

\ adjective

crusher noun

crushingly adverb

Noun

crushproof \ ˈkrəsh-ˌprüf

\ adjective

Synonyms for crush

Synonyms: Verb

mash, pulp, squash

Synonyms: Noun

infatuation, mash, passion

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

But crushes aside, Kardashian West has a bit of a fascination with JFK's family, or at least, Jackie Kennedy's aesthetic. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "John F. Kennedy’s Grandson Reportedly Has a Crush on Kendall Jenner," 11 Apr. 2019 In the end, Billy Dunne and Daisy Jones had my heart singing, soaring, and crushed. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "'Daisy Jones & The Six' Surpassed #ReadWithMC Reviewers' Expectations," 1 May 2019 Arizona last year attracted more than 122,000 newcomers, many fleeing states with crushing regulation and taxes. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "An Arizona Occupational Welcome," 18 Feb. 2019 The company moved to custom CPUs in the iPhone and iPad, and its silicon crushes the competition in benchmarks, making the value proposition clear. — Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, "What Apple might announce at its October 30 “special event” in Brooklyn," 26 Oct. 2018 Working one at a time, gently press potatoes, with the bottom of a glass or your palm, until crushed but still intact. — Kate Merker, Country Living, "Smashed Buttermilk Potato Salad," 10 Aug. 2018 Hock started the contest and earned the victory on the mound while also crushing a two-run double. — Alex Kushel, Sun-Sentinel.com, "West Boynton Little League's youngest all-stars surge into state tournament," 10 July 2018 Some concerns have been voiced about a repeat this year, but the leftist’s crushing lead makes that scenario unlikely. — Eric Martin, Bloomberg.com, "Mexico’s Populist Tide Pushes AMLO Toward a Blowout Victory," 27 June 2018 One of the greatest oil booms the country has ever seen was turning the area, a rural patch in the brush country south of San Antonio, into a startling and incongruous mix of cascading wealth and crushing hardship. — Catherine Marfin, San Antonio Express-News, "Study: Texas ranks 43rd in child well-being," 26 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Someone from the crew mentions that the very handsome young John Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg, son of Caroline, reportedly has a crush on her half-sister Kendall, and Kim’s eyes twinkle at the prospect of colluding over some dynastic matchmaking. — Jonathan Van Meter, Vogue, "The Awakening of Kim Kardashian West," 10 Apr. 2019 According to royal biographer Katie Nicholl, Kate had a huge crush on Andrew at the time. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "The First Boy to Ever Break Kate Middleton's Heart Grew Up to Be an Actor on 'Downton Abbey'," 16 Mar. 2019 Of course, these two don't get together right away: Brooks has a crush on a rich girl named Shelby (Camila Mendes), and Celia starts liking a music nerd named Franklin (Blaine Kern III). — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "Laura Marano Is a New Kind of Romantic Comedy Heroine in Netflix's The Perfect Date," 12 Apr. 2019 Alex has her eyes set on Josh, who works at the resort, but has to compete with Brianna, a spoiled rich teen who also has a crush on him. — De Elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Which Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Movie You Should Watch According to Your Zodiac Sign," 2 Jan. 2019 The plot is as old as junior high school: Two schoolboy friends, Norimichi (Masaki Suda) and Yusuke (Mamoru Miyano), have a crush on the same girl, Nazuna (Suzu Hirose). — Shunji Iwai, New York Times, "Review: In ‘Fireworks,’ Second Chances, but No Magic," 3 July 2018 Perry was our first big celebrity crush (or frequently tied with one of the New Kids on the Block; in my case, Donnie); our first tingle of longing. — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, "Remembering Luke Perry, the Poster Boy of '90s Studs," 4 Mar. 2019 Who among us hasn't consoled a friend who was ghosted by saying that her crush is potentially a serial killer? — Danielle Mcnally, Marie Claire, "We Showed 'You've Got Mail' to Our Gen-Z Coworkers and Now Feel Very Old," 1 Aug. 2018 Buy $6 at Amazon Buy Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill $12.50, Amazon A serious, small, and funny novel about the crush of family life. — The Cut, "So You Want to Read About Having a Baby," 5 June 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.