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
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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
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
  • In a mortar and pestle, mash the anchovies and garlic into a paste.
    Katie Parla, Saveur, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso mashed their way through the National League East for the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets for years.
    Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Los Angeles police officers were hit with fireworks and bottles during street celebrations after the Dodgers World Series win late Saturday, prompting police to authorize the use of tear gas to quell the chaos.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
  • None of the measures have quelled the public outcry.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
  • Those skills will likely overwhelm just about every competitor this trio faces this season.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
  • And even if a few curve balls come in, that doesn’t necessarily overwhelm me.
    Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The polls had him on top for months, and his decision to focus his mayoral campaign on cost-of-living issues proved to be the right one in a city where residents are increasingly squeezed between growing rents and ever costlier public services.
    Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Aid is declining and rising debt is squeezing public budgets.
    Obiageli Ezekwesili, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Coffee maker brands have, increasingly, been cramming more and more brewing options into a single machine.
    Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The area, crammed with fast-food chains and strip malls, might initially not look like much.
    Katie Chang, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • As Mars and Neptune harmonize, passion inspires a leap of faith!
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
  • As an aspiring engineer, Nathan's passion for math and science shines brightly.
    Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crush. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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