Synonyms of crack-up

crack-up 1 of 2

noun

ˈkrak-ˌəp 

1

as in breakdown

a mental or nervous collapse

a crack-up required him to take a year off from work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• breakdown
• tailspin
• nervous breakdown
• disturbance
• meltdown
• anxiety
• freak-out
• excitability
• agitation
• nervousness
• disquiet
• alarm
• perturbation
• frazzle
• apprehension
• basket case
• discomposure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• composure
• coolness
• serenity
• aplomb
• calmness
• tranquility
• placidity
• imperturbability
• self-possession
• tranquilness
• sereneness

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

• collision
• crash
• wreck
• accident
• smashup
• concussion
• destruction
• smash
• pileup
• ruin
• demolishment

crack up

2 of 2

verb

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

• praise
• applaud
• hail
• salute
• acclaim
• commend
• cheer
• rise (to)
• laud
• tout
• root (for)
• accredit
• doff one's hat to
• endorse
• clap
• approve
• recommend
• celebrate
• favor
• bravo
• support
• belaud
• sing
• eulogize
• ballyhoo
• flatter
• extol
• overpraise
• emblazon
• magnify
• idolize
• glorify
• adulate
• deify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• knock
• pan
• put down
• slam
• blame
• disparage
• belittle
• criticize
• censure
• discommend
• rebuke
• reprobate
• reproach
• admonish
• reprimand
• chide
• reprove
• vilify
• reprehend
• excoriate
• castigate
• skewer
• slag
• keelhaul
• lambaste

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

• blow up
• advertise
• cry up
• announce
• tub-thump
• promote
• acclaim
• trumpet
• tout
• commend
• offer
• glorify
• applaud
• ballyhoo
• compliment
• laud
• extol
• proclaim
• pronounce
• eulogize
• lay down
• magnify
• publicize
• make out
• claim
• plug
• blare
• herald
• declare
• blaze
• assert
• boost
• aver
• advance
• blazon

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

• laugh
• giggle
• scream
• chuckle
• smile
• roar
• break up
• grin
• snicker
• split one's sides
• chortle
• titter
• cackle
• twitter
• hee-haw

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cry
• weep
• sob
• bawl
• howl
• blubber
• wail
• squall
• whine
• whimper
• bleat
• sigh
• sniffle
• groan
• yowl
• moan
• snivel
• pule

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of crack-up

Noun

By the end of 1857, no one knew the crack-up of the Union was coming in three years, or that the nation would be in a civil war in four, but the portents were bleak. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026

The crack-up could also be precipitated by a severe financial crisis during which certain governments, such as France, could no longer sell their bonds. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025

Verb

What’s more, cracking up triggers chemical changes that prompt the inner lining of blood vessels to dilate and improve blood flow. — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Even so, the cost and cost recovery of each may not turn out as they were cracked up to be. — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026