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
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show current usage.
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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
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
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
-
As the summer season grinds to a near halt, several holdover titles rounded out the top five.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
24 Aug. 2025
-
As Russia’s war machine grinds forward in eastern Ukraine, there is another offensive being waged far beyond the front line.—
Rachel Wilson,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But the showy structure overwhelms the unshowy story.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
-
And so, as this deluge of data overwhelms us with such velocity, the imperative is ensuring that decisions are well-informed by precise, whole and transparent evidence.—
Anna Forsythe,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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View gallery - 9 images The Cabana tiny house squeezes a lot of house into a length of just 20 ft (6 m).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Aug. 2025
-
As the video goes on, Jelly Roll playfully squeezes Bunnie's backside and the two share a kiss.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The seaside 16th hugs the cliffs in spectacular fashion, daring you to take aim with a mid-iron.—
Jeff Goudy,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
In footage of the moment, Milo displays a sweet smile, then the little boy hugs his goat — named Teddy Bear — tightly before planting multiple kisses on the animal.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Writing and tennis became my two passions.—
Thomas Swick
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The effect is that of passions diverted, of dark energies coalescing into something resembling a community.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Getty Images Warmer temperatures in the English Channel, where the Paluel plant draws from, mean that conditions for jellyfish reproduction are far easier, and there are more swarms present in the water to potentially disrupt the energy network.—
Theo Burman
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The image portrays a man battling over food scraps with swarms of flies indifferent to their invasion of his territory.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Researchers discovered that the worm—Schistosoma mansoni—suppresses neurons in the skin to evade detection in a mechanism likely developed to enhance its own survival.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Laboratory and field tests indicate the new structure suppresses pressure fluctuations by as much as 96%, promising a quieter, safer ride and fewer complaints from people, wildlife, and infrastructure operators living near future maglev corridors.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crushes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crushes. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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