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
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
Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Apa and Cline are both cracking up now as Apa drops one more bomb.
—EW.com, 22 Aug. 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
Are wealth and success all they're cracked up to be?
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Apa and Cline are both cracking up now as Apa drops one more bomb.
—EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
See video … Tune in to the FOX NEWS RUNDOWN PODCAST for a breakdown on how a new drug pricing deal could cut Medicaid costs and reshape prescription transparency.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The fact Nuno did not have the opportunity to work with his entire squad last summer — only two new additions had arrived in time to join the training camp in Portugal — played a role in the breakdown of his relationship with the Forest hierarchy.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Delta noted that a member of the cabin crew was injured, with ABC News detailing that they were hospitalized with a minor knee injury from the collision.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Some reports suggested that a wing on one of the aircraft had detached due to the collision.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After the game, Kidd praised guard Max Christie, who went 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield praised the judge's ruling Sunday night.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
My group chats blew up when the news was official, because about an hour prior certain music news social media accounts did their best Woj impression and spoiled the announcement with some of us not yet ready to call it, even if betting markets had Bunny as the favorite.—
Angel Diaz,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Jana can be seen preparing food in the clip, while her siblings blow up pink balloons for a balloon arch and hang streamers around the space.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Those who pointed and laughed at Stevenson’s lowest football moment last year likely never realized the difficulty of his trek.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Trailer footage reveals tension that seriously ramp-up between Grace and Jackson in their rural home, including shots of Lawrence’s character wondering through an open field with a shotgun, laughing maniacally.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
So, a crypto crash will come and may take down our economy with it.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Beyond the mental clarity and razor sharp focus, taking mushrooms like lion’s mane also comes without many of the potential side effects that are typically associated with stimulants like jitters, energy spikes, and mid-day crashes.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Air Line Pilots Association, the largest airline pilot’s union in the world, applauded the decision.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
-
While many applauded the boldness of the song, others questioned why Waterboer delivered it with such intensity.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
For instance, Starlink is currently advertising $59-per-month Residential Lite service for the first year and a Standard Kit for just $89.—
Wendy Sheehan Donnell,
PC Magazine,
8 Oct. 2025
-
But experts say flood insurance policies are under-advertised to residents like Harrington who live in low-risk flood areas.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share