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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of crush
Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Unfortunately, the hopes were crushed.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Black is now aware of her crush after her boyfriend, Rolling Stone CEO Gus Wenner, told him.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crush
Verb
Losing Kraft is a crushing loss for the Packers.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Unfortunately, the hopes were crushed.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
Cass agrees to babysit their work crush Kalli’s (Louisa Krause) 11-year old daughter Ari (Ridley Asha Bateman), but when Kalli fails to return, memories of Cass’ own difficult childhood begin to resurface, sending them on a healing journey with Ari.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Black is now aware of her crush after her boyfriend, Rolling Stone CEO Gus Wenner, told him.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crush
Verb
-
Not always is a slugger who can mash 50-plus home runs in a season available on the open market, and nearly every team that wants more power in its lineup will be targeting the 32-year-old.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
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The album is front of mind for Yorke, who recently worked on the stage production of Hamlet Hail to the Thief (which mashes up the album and the Shakespeare play) and the surprise live album Hail to the Thief (Live Recordings 2003–2009) was released earlier this year.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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There are glimpses of a backstage farce, with Nora trying to use a quickie with her married stage-manager lover (longtime Trier regular Anders Danielsen Lie) to quell a panic attack on opening night, then threatening to bolt.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
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The move seemed to surprise Fallon, who naturally tried to quell her tears by shouting at her.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Keeping ‘the wolf away from the door’ Colorado River cuts could hit the tiny town of Cave Creek harder than any other municipality, town officials say, potentially grinding growth to a halt and pulling the town government into lawsuits over unfulfilled water contracts.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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And when daily wear and tear was simulated – through continuous electric-toothbrush abrasion equivalent to about a year of brushing, as well as chewing and grinding – the teeth actually had superior resistance to wear, fracture and acid attack compared with natural enamel.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Even with five key players sidelined, Atlanta overwhelmed Los Angeles from the opening tip.—
Grant Afseth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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Testers noted that the filling was strongly spiced which some liked, but was too overpowering for others and gave it an almost artificial taste that overwhelmed the crust.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As an architectural blacksmith, Guillory favored Japanese denim jeans—a balance of craftsmanship and professionalism—for client meetings squeezed between long days welding staircases and chandeliers.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
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But their arrival has coincided with a spike in housing prices, which has squeezed many locals out of the market.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Second Division table showed Glossop were bottom at the time and Arsenal top, and the big crowd cramming into the small ground in the Derbyshire hills expected to see — and did see — the visitors dominate and score freely.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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But Tara’s sensualism also isolates her, emphasizing the narrowness of a life crammed with dead things.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Brown, 21, made a statement in a figure-hugging black lace gown with feather details by Rodarte.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Sweeney’s look played with proportions, with the leg-hugging footwear offsetting her oversized ensemble.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Brought together by filmmaker Saúl Alvídrez, these two radical elders share passion, politics, and wisdom.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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Despite challenges, including a PED suspension that forced him to miss the entire 2021 season while with the Mets, Canó’s passion for the game remains undiminished.—
Denny Alfonso,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crush. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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