1
2
as in quells
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 grinds
to reduce to fine particles
crushed the baby's medicine tablet and mixed it with applesauce
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in overwhelms
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 hugs
to put one's arms around and press tightly
she tearfully crushed the child to her breast
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in passions
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
as in swarms
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crushes
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
First crushes, first loves, the beautiful days of summer, and heartbreak are what made this book an instant hit with teens.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 14 Aug. 2025
That same courtesy ought to be afforded to Crudup, who absolutely crushes a complex assignment with very little screen time.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
That we’re allowed to lean into the crushes and cravings of the teenage girl that still lives inside all of us.
—Olivia Petter, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2025
With bits about first crushes and middle-class life, Khan performs the entire show in Hindi.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Journaling, secret crushes and clandestine affairs take precedence.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Many children have their first crushes at about the same time.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
The book lists some of Sarah Ferguson’s other crushes, including Kevin Costner, Tiger Woods, and George Clooney.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 Aug. 2025
Right off the bat, a few people have crushes on the same person.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
Even though Nevermore Academy is a chaotic place, especially with Wednesday (Ortega) there, Enid is also still navigating the normal high school clichés, like crushes and friendship drama.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
However, Dort’s fate is sealed after the chandelier crashes down and crushes him to death.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
First crushes, first loves, the beautiful days of summer, and heartbreak are what made this book an instant hit with teens.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 14 Aug. 2025
That same courtesy ought to be afforded to Crudup, who absolutely crushes a complex assignment with very little screen time.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
Eric and his friend Brian both have crushes on a girl, Sarah (Amélie Hoeferle).
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
That we’re allowed to lean into the crushes and cravings of the teenage girl that still lives inside all of us.
—Olivia Petter, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2025
With bits about first crushes and middle-class life, Khan performs the entire show in Hindi.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Journaling, secret crushes and clandestine affairs take precedence.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Many children have their first crushes at about the same time.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
The book lists some of Sarah Ferguson’s other crushes, including Kevin Costner, Tiger Woods, and George Clooney.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 Aug. 2025
Right off the bat, a few people have crushes on the same person.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
Even though Nevermore Academy is a chaotic place, especially with Wednesday (Ortega) there, Enid is also still navigating the normal high school clichés, like crushes and friendship drama.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crushes
Verb
-
Our rendition mashes up both of those concepts into one make-ahead meal-starter.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Their next feature, which again mashes varied cinematic forms and techniques, is Super Delights.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Too often, the buying journey still grinds like an outdated gearbox.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
As the summer season grinds to a near halt, several holdover titles rounded out the top five.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
If a disaster overwhelms state and local capacity, officials may request a presidential declaration, the agency said.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
This overload wastes storage, overwhelms engineering teams, clutters observability tools and slows investigations when something actually goes wrong.—
Bill Hineline,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Keeping tires properly inflated not only extends their life but also squeezes more miles out of every charge—a win for the wallet and the planet.—
Melanie Marshall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The motion from this system dynamically stretches and squeezes the space around these objects, sending gravitational waves across the universe.—
Chad Hanna,
The Conversation,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Covered in concrete and lost to time for decades, the vats were rediscovered and excavated in 2016 within a building that hugs the Kentucky River.—
Robin Roenker,
Southern Living,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants hugs Malik Nabers #1 after the game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on December 08, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That’s like one of my biggest passions.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Depending on your passions, Cookson can also bring aboard a dive maestro with full kit, specialist naturalist guides, yoga instructors or professional photographers to discreetly capture the voyage in cinematic detail.—
Rachel Ingram,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The system aims to intercept rockets, artillery, cruise missiles, and swarms of drones with precision.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
-
At the same time, the side that can deploy drone swarms in larger quantities than interceptors will retain an offensive advantage.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And how a democratic society responds to its leaders can make the difference between a free society and one in which a leader increasingly suppresses the voices, rights and will of the governed.—
Karrin Vasby Anderson,
The Conversation,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The partner who suppresses becomes less visible in the relationship.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crushes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crushes. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share