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
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Recent Examples of crack-up
Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
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
Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
The camera cut to O’Leary cracking up in the audience.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Noun
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
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
Verb
Here, Lauren Houser, vice president of marketing at cleaning solutions company Zep in Atlanta, Georgia, highlights six common hacks that really aren't all they're cracked up to be.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
The camera cut to O’Leary cracking up in the audience.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
Hiccups could entail something as big as a train breakdown or as small as a platform door not opening.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The show stops at peak Elvis, before the infamous Vegas years and the further breakdown of one of one of the most famous Americans ever to live.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Aerial footage of the collision showed that a white car ended up on the sidewalk next to a crosswalk after the crash.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
And in 2009, a collision between a plane and a tourist helicopter over the Hudson killed nine people.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The response was praised by Republican politicians, who widely denounced the content of the chats, which was filled with slurs for Black, Jewish and gay people and included graphic calls for violence against Black people.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Cornice headboards are trending again, praised for a classic, layered look.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Ukraine has developed expertise to destroy them through electronic jamming as well as using small, cheap interceptor drones to blow up the Shahed drones.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The crowd laughed, and the Parenthood actor noted that people intervened and broke up the fight.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Roberts laughed, but the twinkle in his eye was genuine.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During the chaos, community members like local restaurant owner Ron Grady stepped up to offer warm shelter and food to those who were stranded in the cold due to the massive multi-vehicle crash.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Losada and Collins, who remain close friends, still talk about the crash a year later, helping each other cope with the pain.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Parry applauded the decision by Deputy Judge Sarah Clarke to dismiss Mitch Winehouse's claim that the two were not entitled to sell the items and did so without his knowledge.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Chevron, on the other hand, applauded the Supreme Court’s decision, saying the claims are related to work that the companies did under federal supervision.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The pairings could be advertised in advance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The company pioneered product branding, starting with its Ivory soap in 1879 and advertising it directly to consumers.—
Alexander Coolidge,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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