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
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
Robert Rubsam, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
The surprisingly funny duo kept social media fans cracking up, but after about a year, their relationship quietly ended.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 29 Sep. 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
One room cracked up at a vulgar joke about a woman’s behind, while another went for an outrageous and surreal midfilm montage — but each bit was made genuinely funnier by the dozens of people gasping and wheezing over it.
—Robert Rubsam, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
The surprisingly funny duo kept social media fans cracking up, but after about a year, their relationship quietly ended.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
Racial and other demographic breakdowns of the 3,000 students retained were not immediately made available.—
Caroline Beck,
IndyStar,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The Upper East Side had the highest total number of votes per neighborhood based on the Times breakdown at 90,390.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Everything is dark around us, but the collision itself is a source of energy and the flash of it lights us up.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
After the collision and shooting on October 4, a crowd of protesters gathered around the scene on the southwest side of Chicago, and agents responded by deploying tear gas.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
His unique style made his work a major influence on art house cinema including American filmmakers Gus van Sant and Jim Jarmusch, who have praised his vision.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Don’t be afraid to praise good work — doing so sets a tone that turns routine collaboration into something people enjoy.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That is, until she's blown up by a gas leak in the end.—
Daniela Avila,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Meghan Markle is ready for her Hollywood close-up — but royal experts warn her big comeback could blow up in her face.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Honestly, my only regret is this thing in the eye [laughs].—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Ig Nobel Prizes celebrate achievements that make people laugh, then think.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
On the day of the crash, the FBI collected pictures of the car’s exterior, paint samples and other evidence, according to an affidavit filed by the Justice Department.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Crash reported on eastbound I-70 There has been a crash on I-70 between Blue Ridge Cut Off/Exit 9 and Sterling Avenue/Exit 10.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
And other stars are applauding her candor.—
Whitney Perry,
Glamour,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Yaro also applauded Coinbase's strong business fundamentals.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Authorities also seized a dozen web pages advertising the sale of dollars and euros at rates different from the official one by the central bank.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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And whereas traditional oral supplements tend to be marketed as vectors for specific compounds, leaving users to mastermind their perfect mix, patches are usually cocktails that advertise their active ingredients less prominently.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
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