smash

1 of 3

noun

ˈsmash 

1

a

: a smashing blow or attack

b

: a hard overhand stroke (as in tennis or badminton)

2

a

: the action or sound of smashing

especially : a wreck due to collision : crash

b

: utter collapse : ruin

3

: a striking success

smash

2 of 3

verb

smashed; smashing; smashes

transitive verb

1

: to break or crush by violence

2

a

: to drive or throw violently especially with a shattering or battering effect

also : to effect in this way

b

: to hit violently : batter

c(1)

: to hit (something, such as a tennis ball) with a hard overhand stroke

(2)

: to drive (a ball) with a forceful stroke

3

: to destroy utterly : wreck

intransitive verb

1

: to move or become propelled with violence or crashing effect

smashed into a tree

2

: to become wrecked

3

: to go to pieces suddenly under collision or pressure

smasher noun

smash

3 of 3

adjective

: being a smash : outstanding

a smash hit

Synonyms

Noun

• collision
• thump
• crash
• slam
• shock
• jolt

Verb

• shatter
• destroy

Examples of smash in a Sentence

Noun

The new movie is a smash.

She was a smash at the party.

His new song promises to be a smash hit.

The vase fell to the ground with a loud smash.

She hit an overhand smash that won the match.

Verb

He smashed the vase with a hammer.

The ball smashed the window.

The vase fell and smashed to pieces.

He smashed into the wall.

She smashed the ball deep into the opposite corner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The smash also climbs to a new high point on the main songs tally, pushing north to No. 25, while holding at its all-time best of No. 3 on the Official Rock & Metal Singles list. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

While the Midtown location of the small string of Florida burger joints closed last year, Relish’s Downtown shop is still standing and serving up the delicious smash burgers they’re known for. —Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Verb

By then, there were two outs, Jesse Winker was on second and came home on an RBI single by Starling Marte, dramatically smashing his helmet at home plate, punctuating a two-run lead. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 Aug. 2025

Claressa Shields has smashed her way through the current crop of heavyweight contenders and even called out 47-year-old pioneer Laila Ali. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Adjective

But its profile skyrocketed as The Sun Also Rises became a smash best seller and was later made into a 1957 hit film starring Tyrone Power, Errol Flynn and Ava Gardner. —Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025

The restaurant, known for its smash burgers, shakes and crinkle-cut fries, also has a location in Liberty Township. —Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps blend of smack entry 4 and mash entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1725, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1764, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1923, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing smash

• smash-and-grab
• smash burger
• smash down
• smash in
• smash to smithereens

Rhymes for smash

• ash
• bash
• brash
• cache
• cash
• clash
• crash
• dash
• flash
• gash
• hash
• lash

Kids Definition

smash

1 of 2 verb

ˈsmash 

1

: to break into pieces by violence : shatter

2

: to drive, throw, or move violently especially with a destructive effect

3

: to destroy completely : wreck

4

: to go to pieces suddenly : collapse

smasher noun

smash

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a heavy blow or attack

b

: a hard overhand stroke (as in tennis)

2

: the condition of being smashed

3

a

: the action or sound of smashing

especially : a wreck due to collision : crash

b

: complete collapse : ruin

especially : bankruptcy

4

: a striking success : hit

the new play is a smash