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.
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Recent Examples of crack-up
Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Because even the most powerful companies are just participants in a broader world, and if the rage of those who are sacrificed to feed the bottom line wrecks that broader world, well, then a crack-up is coming.
—airmail.news, 25 Jan. 2025
Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 15 Nov. 2025
The woods may be overrun, this year, with cabins in the woods capable of cracking up couples by laying all their faults bare.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Noun
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
Because even the most powerful companies are just participants in a broader world, and if the rage of those who are sacrificed to feed the bottom line wrecks that broader world, well, then a crack-up is coming.
—airmail.news, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
Kathy — who has earned an enormous fan base thanks to her honesty and lack of pretense on the Bravo reality series — had the crowd at the Caesars Forum convention center cracking up from the moment the panel began.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 15 Nov. 2025
The woods may be overrun, this year, with cabins in the woods capable of cracking up couples by laying all their faults bare.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
The plant had racked up years of cost overruns and technical breakdowns.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The breakdown in relations became one of the most visible symbols of the deep political crisis that engulfed Venezuela during Maduro’s rule, as Washington imposed sweeping sanctions and sought to isolate the socialist government internationally.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The 24-year-old first baseman is still a few days away from comfortably swinging a bat after a collision at first base Saturday when the Texas Rangers’ Mark Canha awkwardly hyperextended Long’s arm on his catch attempt.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
-
According to police, all five people involved in the collision sustained injuries.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In a statement on Friday, Lamont praised Quiros’ record as commissioner and thanked him for his years of service.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Pennsylvania senators praise decision to strike Iran Democratic Senator John Fetterman took to X (formerly Twitter) to praise the operation.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Araminta expected Sophie to match her energy, to blow up.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Some lawmakers see the influx of cash as a Band-Aid and want an audit to determine why the system blew up.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some of the men laughed at the comment, which sparked criticism online, especially since many of them are close with players on the women's hockey team.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Feb. 2026
-
And then there’s Rayquan Minor, who says making people laugh is his specialty.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
-
After the crash, a law enforcement inspection revealed the bike had been altered in three significant ways, prosecutors say.—
Cierra Morgan
March 4,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Notice who stands to applaud your wins and who grumbles.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The crowd watching applauded, drawing a smile from dad and daughter.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Grand Theft Alvarado has been as good as advertised since his arrival in the Big Apple.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Prosecutors showed her Facebook post advertising the event, which featured an aerial map of the property that labeled the area where protestors could legally gather.—
Kelsy Mittauer,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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