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
Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
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
Sam Woodward, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Padilla and Gosling were a teacher and principal in another sketch reading passed notes out loud that, according to text on screen, were swapped out since rehearsal, causing both to crack up uncontrollably.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Noun
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
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
Verb
Is tofu all it's cracked up to be?
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Padilla and Gosling were a teacher and principal in another sketch reading passed notes out loud that, according to text on screen, were swapped out since rehearsal, causing both to crack up uncontrollably.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
When comparing the age breakdown of Congress to the rest of the American workforce, there's a sizable gap.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
7 May 2026
-
Although the practice is still in the theoretical research stage, scientists have spent two decades studying the chemical compounds associated with the breakdown of the human body.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Based on current findings, there is no indication of a mid-air collision.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
Hauser came up limping after a midair collision with Embiid on the final play of the first quarter.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Birds aren’t the only ones who love this design; many reviewers can’t stop praising its functionality and aesthetic.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 May 2026
-
Some of Will and Kate's Instagram followers picked up on the polish, praising the parents for allowing their daughter to buck unspoken traditions that call for muted, demure nails.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
At least the whale wouldn’t be blown up with half a ton of dynamite, like the sperm whale that had beached more than half a century earlier, just 30 miles south of Yachats.—
Robin Romm,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
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The best reality shows—every Bravo franchise, The Kardashians, Dance Moms—are anthropological studies with campy one-liners, life blown up to exaggerated proportions.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
In a behind-the-scenes shot by Alex Bramall, Princess Charlotte is seen sitting in front of Eugenie, laughing so hard her eyes are squeezed shut.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
-
Godfrey laughed when thinking about that moment.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The dot-com crash was disastrous for the company and Turner, the largest individual shareholder in the combined company.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Those incidents surfaced more than a year after Devin Willock and recruiting staff member Chandler LeCroy were killed in a car crash in 2023.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Was any draft decision of this team’s past quarter-century applauded more than Tua Tagovailoa over Justin Herbert?—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The audience laughed and applauded.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Howe has taken a leadership role in the industry on responsible gaming, refusing to advertise in college stadiums or do name, image and likeness, or NIL, deals with college athletes.—
Contessa Brewer,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
-
The lawsuit alleged that Apple falsely advertised AI enhancements to its iPhone 16, which was announced in September 2024.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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