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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Awards pundits predict that both White and Strong will be Oscar contenders for their performances, which have been praised by critics on the film festival circuit.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
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Speaking to Variety at the Academy Museum Gala over the weekend, the actor praised his experience shooting the new episodes.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
20 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
-
Years later, my mother laughed at this attitude of mine.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Victoria asks her husband, laughing.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
20 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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Several applauded Clark’s transparency and sincerity.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
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Related Stories Kate McFarlane, one of LaBella’s attorneys, applauded the judge’s decision.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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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