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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
Original castmembers Richard Kline and Priscilla Barnes also cracked up the crowd, reprising their roles as nurse Teri and lovable lech Larry.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 18 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
Growing up in showbiz isn't all it's cracked up to be, at least according to Shaun Cassidy.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
Original castmembers Richard Kline and Priscilla Barnes also cracked up the crowd, reprising their roles as nurse Teri and lovable lech Larry.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
The research says there’s no evidence that starting with slow breakdowns is advantageous.—
Joe Boylan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
While city data shows the murder rate is down 21% since 2024, the numbers appear to encompass statistics from each calendar year – with 2025’s full breakdown hinging on the completion of the year.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In their simulations, the dark matter collisions produce the same signal and have the same properties as those observed in the real world.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
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The collision is being investigated as the city’s 29th roadway death of the year, and the 14th to involve a pedestrian who died.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The bills were also praised by animal rights organizations; the governor also signed a bill this week to ban the declawing of cats in the state.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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While praising Keaton as a performer, Meyers, who wrote Baby Boom and the Father of the Bride films and wrote and directed Something’s Gotta Give, looked back on their close working relationship.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Some firms have scurried to ship early, but even a few days’ delay at sea could blow up their margins.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
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The jury is still out on whether Hamas will blow up the landmark ceasefire agreement that President Donald Trump‘s team negotiated to bring an end to the war in Gaza.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Make people laugh and help people out and just keep that vicious cycle of fun going.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
13 Oct. 2025
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There are also shots of the countless members of Swift’s band, dance troupe and stage crew hard at work setting up the show night after night, along with her parents, Scott and Andrea Swift, who are frequently seen smiling and laughing with their daughter.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Some automakers have started laminating side windows to prevent shattered glass during a crash.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
15 Oct. 2025
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The crash remains under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol, authorities said.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The American president was in his element, often departing from prepared remarks in an address that extended for an hour in front of a crowd that was more than happy to applaud at every pause.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
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Many others applauded the boys for thinking of their safety first.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
It's called Silent Courier, and it's being advertised online.—
Adam Bearne,
NPR,
14 Oct. 2025
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While federal government agencies are permitted to advertise, they are meant to stick to a strict set of rules determining the type of messaging allowed.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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