1
2
as in suppresses
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
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Lady Gaga, crushes, Tom Cruise, and movie theaters — the through-line for this week is obsession.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Ella Langley crushes internet troll.
—David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
This time, though, he's already somewhat sidelined by the introduction of Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), and then he's stunningly killed during a fight with Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford), who defeats him and crushes his head.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 9 May 2026
As for Erik, his father’s decision crushes his whole identity.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
William crushes his cousin Ben (Alex Bhat) in a bear hug.
—Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
Because these drugs are so precious, new antibiotics are deliberately held in reserve to slow the emergence of resistance, a practice known as stewardship that benefits future patients but crushes commercial prospects.
—Henry Skinner, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
Early voting crushes record in Texas Early voting in Texas smashed records.
—From Staff Reports, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026
Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
The boys and girls wind up living across the hall from each other, and crushes and interpersonal drama bring them from frenemies to enemies and back again.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 2 June 2026
The friend group quickly forms a complex web of crushes that expand the love triangle to new frontiers of geometry.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 2 June 2026
No more crushes, no more secret pacts.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 27 May 2026
Being single is the time for trying out new things and having crushes.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 26 May 2026
As for those online friends who supported her late into the night, talking about Kiyoko’s music and their secret crushes, Perez still thinks about them sometimes.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026
Civilian crushes were a different story.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Short fiction, a novel about young adult crushes and an amazing Minnesota musician’s memoir will brighten your spring reading.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
An Ice Shaver crushes ice into a snow-like texture for slushies, snow cones or cold drinks.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Lady Gaga, crushes, Tom Cruise, and movie theaters — the through-line for this week is obsession.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Ella Langley crushes internet troll.
—David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
This time, though, he's already somewhat sidelined by the introduction of Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), and then he's stunningly killed during a fight with Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford), who defeats him and crushes his head.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 9 May 2026
As for Erik, his father’s decision crushes his whole identity.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
William crushes his cousin Ben (Alex Bhat) in a bear hug.
—Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
Because these drugs are so precious, new antibiotics are deliberately held in reserve to slow the emergence of resistance, a practice known as stewardship that benefits future patients but crushes commercial prospects.
—Henry Skinner, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
Early voting crushes record in Texas Early voting in Texas smashed records.
—From Staff Reports, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
The actor partnered with Hint to create a gardening thirst trap video inspired by his character in the early 2000s show, reigniting online crushes.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
The boys and girls wind up living across the hall from each other, and crushes and interpersonal drama bring them from frenemies to enemies and back again.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 2 June 2026
The friend group quickly forms a complex web of crushes that expand the love triangle to new frontiers of geometry.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 2 June 2026
No more crushes, no more secret pacts.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 27 May 2026
Being single is the time for trying out new things and having crushes.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 26 May 2026
As for those online friends who supported her late into the night, talking about Kiyoko’s music and their secret crushes, Perez still thinks about them sometimes.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026
Civilian crushes were a different story.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Short fiction, a novel about young adult crushes and an amazing Minnesota musician’s memoir will brighten your spring reading.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crushes
Verb
-
Set to John Philip Sousa military marches, the zany spectacle mashes up a night at the Moulin Rouge with a Busby Berkeley extravaganza.—
Rachel Howard,
San Francisco Chronicle,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Cheaper pruners use a blade and anvil — essentially one sharp blade that mashes the branch against a flat surface.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cardboard suppresses weeds, enriches soil, and is useful for new garden beds as sheet mulching or a base layer.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 June 2026
-
There is no reason to think that the money will flow to schools and hospitals or provide any benefit to the Iranian people that the regime still suppresses.—
Daniel B. Shapiro,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Decision speed grinds to a halt when every choice has to work its way through layers of process.—
Nick Chandi,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Sorry for the rant, but this one really grinds my gears.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Bold pink, yellow, and blue tile typically overwhelms a bathroom, dictates its overall color scheme, and limits decor choices.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 June 2026
-
If 21st-century technology overwhelms our 18th-century institutions—if social media and AI destroy our capacity to think independently, evaluate facts, and recognize truth—Americans aren’t the only ones who will pay the price.—
Jeffrey Rosen,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
With electric vehicles continuing to gain share, that further squeezes European carmakers.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
At one point, the SUV squeezes past a traffic cone while making a left turn and narrowly avoids colliding with a large truck.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Throughout, visiting tourist Madeleine (Kristen Stewart) stuffs her face with every kind of meat, vegetable and carb while her father Phil (Woody Harrelson) is the one whose stomach miraculously swells.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
At home, Jonathan Wright, director of the Indianapolis art museum's park and gardens, stuffs in the plants, stacks the pots, and lets everything grow.—
Teresa Woodard,
Midwest Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s an eroding three-mile stretch of Highway 101 in California’s remote northwest corner that hugs fog-shrouded cliffs between the redwood forest and the Pacific Ocean.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
In the black-and-white photo, Zendaya is all smiles as Holland hugs her from behind.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Helping locals find their passions Though its patrons come from beyond Hollywood — Miami Shores, North Miami, Miramar, Fort Lauderdale, even Boca Raton — Champagne Shack is all about the locals.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
-
Yet, her art endures and embodies the contradictions and passions that defined her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crushes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crushes. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
