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
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
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
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
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
Sunny got her famous father to crack up during her cameo on a Brooklyn, New York, taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
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Here’s a breakdown of where things stand, who is on which side and what the path forward looks like, based on reporting from The Sacramento Bee.
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Scroll on for the ultimate breakdown and get inspired to put your spin on these looks for your next getaway.
Noun
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The collision sent Bowie careening into a minivan parked nearby.
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Now, a team of researchers assessed this signal and found a feature in the gravitational waves represents the collective event horizon of the involved black holes at the very moment of that collision.
Verb
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Swift and Nicks have a long relationship and have often praised each other in public.
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Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also praised the selection, saying Schroyer’s background positions him to advance the administration's immigration enforcement goals and called on the Senate to act quickly to confirm him.
Verb
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But the things that actually blow up a deal are invisible.
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The county has steadfastly avoided taking a position on the district attorney’s freeze request, determined not to blow up a settlement that officials want over and done with.
Verb
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The ending echoes the film’s opening, when viewers hear the couple laughing together while playing the piano during a happier chapter of their relationship.
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Imagine tall trees across the lake, a calm breeze, children laughing in the distance, the scent of your old canvas tent – there’s no forgetting the sights, sounds, smells and feel of summer camp.
Noun
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Police said the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash is ongoing.
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Police say no pedestrians were hurt in the crash.
Verb
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After a long line of speakers alternately applauded or slammed the McLean senior living complex’s bid to build 40 more homes, the zoning board in Simsbury continued its hearing until next month.
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Iran defying obstacles at the World Cup Iran’s Hossein Kanani applauds fans after a 0-0 draw against Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Verb
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As Musk has advertised numerous times in the past decade, Starship is also designed to drive down the cost of getting cargo to orbit by orders of magnitude — from a couple thousand dollars per kilogram to as little as $10 per kilogram.
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But in the days after Cape Verde drew against Spain, a different company began advertising Blue Sharks jerseys on social media.
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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