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
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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
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 years surrounding menopause are particularly critical because the drop in estrogen accelerates bone breakdown.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
-
Here’s a full breakdown of what zone 2 cardio is, who’s behind it, what a major 2025 research review found, and how to use it in a way that actually makes sense for your life.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 4,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
This is no coincidence; galactic mergers are more likely at the cluster’s gravitational center, and astronomers think the chaos of such collisions helps give ellipticals their characteristic spheroidal shape.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
29 May 2026
-
The Idaho Transportation Department plans to restripe a section of Interstate 84 between Meridian and Nampa, in the days after work-zone lane markings caused confusion among drivers and at least one near collision.—
Rose Evans
May 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz urged residents to remain united in the aftermath of the shooting, while praising first responders for their response to the incident.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
-
Antonelli praised Mercedes for improving the car's setup after Ferrari led both Friday practice sessions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Along the southern front, Ukrainian drones began to blow up military convoys on the main road from Russia to Crimea.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
6 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,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
First and foremost, as was first reported by Shanghai Daily, the child was not seriously injured, so if your first instinct was to fear retribution for laughing at the visual of a humanoid robot doing a Rex-Kwan-Do routine in a clown wig and rocking some little kid in the chest, then worry not.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
-
Families and groups of friends gather around the chic outdoor patio furniture, laughing and telling stories.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Grossman did not try to leave the scene after the crash, Holm said.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
That crash occurred three months after Lu was ticketed in Maryland for negligent driving and changing lanes unsafely, according to court records.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Jennifer Levi of the LGBTQ+ rights group GLAD Law, who represents the plaintiffs, applauded the decision.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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In a joint statement, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert applauded the organization.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The documents include a guide on how to create stencils for graffiti and another on how and where to place large posters advertising the group, including instructions on how to mix flour and water to create wheat paste to stick the posters up.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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This may come as a surprise in a time when telehealth companies are advertising on the subway platform and downloading an app might be the first step patients take to get a drug prescription.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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