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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crack-up
Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Because even the most powerful companies are just participants in a broader world, and if the rage of those who are sacrificed to feed the bottom line wrecks that broader world, well, then a crack-up is coming.
—airmail.news, 25 Jan. 2025
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Nov. 2025
Kathy — who has earned an enormous fan base thanks to her honesty and lack of pretense on the Bravo reality series — had the crowd at the Caesars Forum convention center cracking up from the moment the panel began.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Noun
Despite the book’s title, Buchanan had some hope for the West (in his us-and-them sense of the term) and was confident in globalism’s impending crack-up.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Because even the most powerful companies are just participants in a broader world, and if the rage of those who are sacrificed to feed the bottom line wrecks that broader world, well, then a crack-up is coming.
—airmail.news, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
Those bloopers The special ended with a gag reel featuring a couple of scenes where Romano keeps coming up with a different punchline in every take, often prompting his screen partner to crack up.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Nov. 2025
Kathy — who has earned an enormous fan base thanks to her honesty and lack of pretense on the Bravo reality series — had the crowd at the Caesars Forum convention center cracking up from the moment the panel began.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
Here's a breakdown of the eligibility requirements by program type.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The table below provides a quick breakdown of which provider is best based on different situations.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The most serious mid-air collision involving the plane happened in 1966, when a B-52 bomber carrying nuclear bombs struck a tanker near Palomares, Spain.—
Kim Tong-Hyung,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
While that hit was within the rules, his collision with Matthews wasn’t even close.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised them as American heroes.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
His decision to move into the Apostolic Palace has been praised in particular by conservative commentators who see it as a sign of respect for the papacy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The rules of the game state that, if a head of a household falls, the next person in succession must take their place and fight, or their entire family line will get blown up by Satan.—
Jada Yuan,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
-
One of those blew up on its landing attempt while another was purposefully expended to get its payload to a higher orbital insertion.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The comedy horror sequel starring Samara Weaving as a bride trapped in a murderous game brought blood, blood and more blood to SXSW, where the crowd squealed and laughed at each grisly killing.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Some parents and children laughed, and a pair of parents even high-fived.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There have been at least 10 people killed in crashes within city limits so far in 2026.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The baby, who was not restrained, was thrown from Lopez’ vehicle in the crash, causing serious injury, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Marshall applauded the strong demand trends currently boosting the cybersecurity industry.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Brian Nichols, former assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere in the Biden administration, applauded the appointment.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Steyer is in the low teens in both polls, up from 4% in Emerson’s December survey; Mahan, who entered the race in late January and whose campaign has not yet begun to advertise, sits at 3%.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Thaircamper launched its inflatable RV last year and has been ramping up its trade show schedule this year in an effort to advertise and sell it.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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