1
as in breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
a crack-up required him to take a year off from work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crack-up
Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
For job seekers and their families and friends, navigating this white collar crack-up can no longer mean looking to the federal or state government for a new government program, department, or benefit.
—Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
Is tofu all it's cracked up to be?
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
For job seekers and their families and friends, navigating this white collar crack-up can no longer mean looking to the federal or state government for a new government program, department, or benefit.
—Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
Grace’s life starts to crack up and fall apart, and that is, of course, part of the adventure of being young and irresponsible.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
Is tofu all it's cracked up to be?
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
The real issue is the breakdown of the relationship and your feelings about that deserve to be heard clearly.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
-
Here’s a breakdown of who could be the next mayor — and who won’t even be considered.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The Irvine Police Department arrested a 25-year-old man accused of a deadly hit-and-run collision on Wednesday.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
The current number of near-collisions is tough to pin down, as FAA data on drone-aircraft encounters is limited and difficult to verify.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Domingo praises Spielberg as a collaborator.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
13 June 2026
-
Tend details gently, and praise small consistent gains.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
That project blew up and the team left town after city officials balked at the team’s excessive demands for taxpayer subsidies.—
Daniel Borenstein,
Mercury News,
12 June 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,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Sign up for a short class that excites you, or map a weekend day trip with a friend who laughs easily.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
-
The scene of the two boys discussing Kayda is kind of funny, especially the number of times Zach laughs and encourages Bryce to go for it.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Both crash to the floor with a loud clatter.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The crash is under investigation.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The orchestra lustily applauded like everyone else.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Her first winner of the match was cheered so loudly by the crowd that many spectators stood to applaud.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
This type of signage became so ubiquitous and so grotesquely huge across the city as businesses advertised and competed for visual attention that they were forcefully phased out by the government in the 2010s and replaced by Korean letters tastefully cut out to be lit from within instead.—
Anton Hur,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
-
But many cheap phone plans strip out hotspot support to undercut other services’ advertised rates.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
