1
as in breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
a crack-up required him to take a year off from work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in collision
the violent coming together of two bodies into destructive contact
two people were injured in a serious crack-up on the interstate
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to praise
to declare enthusiastic approval of
that sports car isn't all it's cracked up to be
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to blow up
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively
the movie is being cracked up as the blockbuster of the summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to laugh
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
try not to crack up at your own punch lines—it's funnier if you keep a straight face
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crack-up
Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 18 Sep. 2024
And all the better to make his crack-up that much more disorienting and unsettling.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2023
Robert Rubsam, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
The surprisingly funny duo kept social media fans cracking up, but after about a year, their relationship quietly ended.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Noun
The prevailing explanation for the Ordovician Impact Spike had long been that a large body in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter broke up as a result of a collision and the debris from that crack-up eventually found its way to Earth.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 18 Sep. 2024
And all the better to make his crack-up that much more disorienting and unsettling.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2023
Verb
One room cracked up at a vulgar joke about a woman’s behind, while another went for an outrageous and surreal midfilm montage — but each bit was made genuinely funnier by the dozens of people gasping and wheezing over it.
—Robert Rubsam, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
The surprisingly funny duo kept social media fans cracking up, but after about a year, their relationship quietly ended.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
Three breakdowns appear repeatedly.—
Katerin Le Folcalvez,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Boston led late in the first half, but Denver capitalized on a rebounding breakdown to pull even.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Conversely, collision coverage helps when your own car is damaged in a crash, whereas medical coverage helps cover treatment costs following an accident.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Neither alcohol nor drugs were determined to be factors in the collision.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His unique style made his work a major influence on art house cinema including American filmmakers Gus van Sant and Jim Jarmusch, who have praised his vision.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Don’t be afraid to praise good work — doing so sets a tone that turns routine collaboration into something people enjoy.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Perez killed the bill last year as part of the budget blow up.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
10 Jan. 2026
-
In such a case, any adjustment to that initial arrangement, no matter how small, would prevent the fluid from blowing up.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Honestly, my only regret is this thing in the eye [laughs].—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Ig Nobel Prizes celebrate achievements that make people laugh, then think.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Conversely, collision coverage helps when your own car is damaged in a crash, whereas medical coverage helps cover treatment costs following an accident.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The Colorado State Patrol said the crash happened near Tordal Way, south of Frisco.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And other stars are applauding her candor.—
Whitney Perry,
Glamour,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Yaro also applauded Coinbase's strong business fundamentals.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That bar had advertised all-inclusive tickets to a New Year’s Eve event, according to a BoiseDev story, but the ad is no longer available on the bar’s website.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Appleton has come as advertised as a hard-working, defensively reliable third-liner with limited offensive upside (11 points in 34 games).—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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