1
2
as in to quell
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
the government is doing everything to crush the latest guerrilla uprising
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to grind
to reduce to fine particles
crushed the baby's medicine tablet and mixed it with applesauce
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
the terrible news of her death simply crushed the entire family
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
6
7
as in to hug
to put one's arms around and press tightly
she tearfully crushed the child to her breast
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in swarm
a great number of persons or creatures massed together
the huge crush in the store must have far exceeded safety limits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of crush
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Sep. 2025
The book has already elicited pushback from some members of her party and comes at a precarious time for Democrats, who are looking to reset after a crushing November election.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 23 Sep. 2025
Audrey Goldberg Ruoff, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Managers at some In-N-Outs acknowledge the teen crush, especially after high school football games.
—Robert Anglen, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crush
Verb
To the devoted, live-and-die-with-the-team fan – or, for a more extreme example, those who bet on the Rams against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday – the ending was crushing.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Sep. 2025
The book has already elicited pushback from some members of her party and comes at a precarious time for Democrats, who are looking to reset after a crushing November election.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
Set in the seaside town of Freya Grove, this charming witchy romance follows Lucy, a high school teacher and witch, and Alex, a merman and her old crush from high school.
—Audrey Goldberg Ruoff, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Managers at some In-N-Outs acknowledge the teen crush, especially after high school football games.
—Robert Anglen, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crush
Verb
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It can be cooked and pureed into soups, or mashed as a side dish.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
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Both white beans and chickpeas have neutral flavors that meld well with oats, and mashing them up beforehand will make their texture almost unnoticeable.—
Audrey Bruno,
SELF,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The secondary route is a battle upward from the city of Ephyra to Mount Olympus to learn who is aiding Chronos in his siege of the mortal realm and quell it.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
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Rahm’s fantastic shot quelled any momentum Schauffele and Cantlay had built.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the approach may also carry a cost, one hard to discern in the middle of a grinding conflict.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
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The Smart Grinder Pro doses by time, and selecting a set number of cups correlates with a preset amount of grinding time.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But courts were overwhelmed by a flood of asylum seekers—a long-standing systemic shortage exacerbated by Biden’s inclusive policies.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
-
And the first-half performance in Seville, as Postecoglou’s side overwhelmed a very strong Real Betis, was enough to prompt a huge sense of positivity.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Reds squeezed into the third wild-card slot for their first playoff appearance in five years.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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Some people who have bought homes in the last few years feel squeezed by monthly payments that leave little cash left over.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The decision not only mitigated against jet lag but allowed players to spend the first week on the course, perfecting their pairing strategies, rather than cramming too much time into the days immediately before play started, where media commitments are at their height.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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The classic diner serves huge portions of affordable fare that tastes like your grandmother made it, including stacks of pancakes slathered in butter and maple syrup and omelets crammed with fresh ingredients.—
Nora Heston Tarte,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In one photo, Bowen can be seen hugging her son, and in another, Oliver makes a heart out of his hands with his dad, Scott Phillips.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
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They’re made of recycled polyester and spandex, and feature a body-hugging waistband for all-day comfort.—
Destinee Scott,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mae raised Burnett’s mother, Louise Creighton, in San Antonio, Texas, but Louise—who had a passion for the cinema, and a severe beauty reminiscent of Joan Crawford’s—harbored dreams of moving to Hollywood to become a columnist on celebrity culture.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
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Comey was, and is, doing what that NASA custodian was doing – serving his country with passion and pride.—
Billy Ray,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crush. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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