crush 1 of 2

1
as in to mash
to cause to become a pulpy mass dark-colored grapes that will be crushed to make red wine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
3
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5
as in to squeeze
to apply external pressure on so as to force out the juice or contents of after crushing the grapes, let the skins soak in the juice in order to extract some color

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
as in to cram
to fit (people or things) into a tight space the desperate refugees were crushed into the back of the truck

Synonyms & Similar Words

7

crush

2 of 2

noun

1
as in passion
a strong but often short-lived liking for another person fondly remembers the crush that she had on a boy one summer long ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

2

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun crush differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crush are crowd, horde, mob, and throng. While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort.

a crush of fans

When might crowd be a better fit than crush?

While the synonyms crowd and crush are close in meaning, crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together.

a crowd gathered

When is mob a more appropriate choice than crush?

The words mob and crush can be used in similar contexts, but mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence.

an angry mob

How do throng and horde relate to one another, in the sense of crush?

Both throng and horde suggest movement and pushing.

a throng of reporters
a horde of shoppers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crush
Verb
Whether Baghdad would risk firing these at intruding IAF jets that are not actively attacking targets on its territory is doubtful, given the crushing retaliation doing so would likely incur. Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025 As noted in yesterday’s newsletter, Bogaerts was fairly crushed that his contribution was for naught on Wednesday. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025
Noun
There are some sweet crushes, but nothing provocative at all. Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 12 June 2025 Settings The best Cuisinart blenders will feature a wide array of settings and controls, including variable speed options, a pulse option, ice crush and other pre-programmed settings for smoothies or other recipes. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for crush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crush
Verb
  • With a fork, mash the banana in a separate small bowl until mostly smooth, leaving a few clumps.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 6 June 2025
  • Piped over the top are mashed Yukon gold and Japanese purple potatoes.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell defended his department’s handling of recent protests, saying officers acted appropriately to quell unrest — pushing back against criticism about aggressive crowd control tactics used during demonstrations against President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
    Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
  • President Donald Trump just announced a ceasefire between the Middle Eastern countries—potentially quelling oil market fears of Iran’s plans to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway to global oil trade.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • It’s made from grinding green tea leaves—which can be varying grades of quality—into a fine powder, which is then whisked with hot water to create a thick, frothy liquid.
    Devorah Lev-Tov, Vogue, 20 June 2025
  • Toss in an uncaring government agent with an axe to grind.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • The number of wild burros roaming pine forests and sagebrush fields has grown in recent years, with experts worried that the miniature beasts of burden could overwhelm rare and endangered species of plants.
    Annie Goodykoontz, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
  • That means empowering employees, not overwhelming them.
    Dan Adika, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Despite remaining hugely cash-generative at the operating level, outgoings on player transfers, loan interest and the £50million investment at the Carrington training ground have squeezed their ability to spend quite so readily as in the past.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • Team-building is not about squeezing sufficient value out of every single contract or assembling a roster of yes men.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • On June 8, 1991, the US Park Police estimated 800,000 people crammed on to the National Mall to celebrate the U.S. victory in the Persian Gulf War -- with 200,000 people lining the parade route.
    Sarah Beth Hensley, ABC News, 12 June 2025
  • Boom, his family crammed into a 1200 square foot home, eight people in three bedrooms.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • As she was cleared of the most serious charges, Read hugged her lawyers — as booming cheers could be heard from the crowd gathered outside.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 June 2025
  • After winning, Spaun approached and hugged them, took one of the girls into his arms, and gave his wife a quick peck on the lips.
    Savannah Leigh Richardson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Imagine telling any of the women in that hairdressers shop that art should be untouched by national and political passion, particularly in time of war.
    Kamila Shamsie June 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
  • Even though college golf is a niche among the niche, and the teams feature approximately seven to 10 players, to those who play, and support it, the game is a passion and a priority.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crush. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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