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
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
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
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 3 Oct. 2025
The series starred Ben Savage as Cory Matthews navigating his family, high school and his crushes.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
In a world full of bad news, crushes can fuel us.
—Pema Bakshi, Refinery29, 18 Sep. 2025
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
Verb
When their cores run out of fuel, gravity crushes them inward, triggering supernovae that leave behind a neutron star or black hole.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
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
Fast forward, 20 years later, and Swift is not a little girl anymore, and her music isn’t about little girl crushes and worries.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 3 Oct. 2025
The series starred Ben Savage as Cory Matthews navigating his family, high school and his crushes.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
In a world full of bad news, crushes can fuel us.
—Pema Bakshi, Refinery29, 18 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crushes
Verb
-
When Guerrero mashes, playoff wins come easier.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The composer mashes together elements of forefathers who were themselves notorious mashers-up of traditions.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While the presumption was always that Messi would renew with the Herons, the news quells any lingering anxiety.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Twenty years later, an adult Guinevere is building her ghostwriting career when her estranged artist brother announces an installation titled Mother, which quells disturbing revelations in Guinevere.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Luxe Café automatically grinds beans to the appropriate size and volume for your drink, and has a hands-free frothing system for creating hot and cold foam.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The White House is halting $18 billion in New York infrastructure funding due to concerns over diversity and inclusion practices and as the first day of a federal shutdown grinds government work to a halt.—
Gregory Korte,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Over such spans, change overwhelms continuity; too much simply disappears.—
Manvir Singh,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
-
This figure motivates Butrich but also overwhelms her.—
Sabrina Weiss,
The Dial,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And now, one such creation slithers, squeezes, and twists through the narrowest corners.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The surgeon withdraws the balloon and then squeezes the implant in through a sterile funnel before closing the incision.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
These best-selling flare leggings feature a buttery-soft blend of nylon and spandex that hugs the shape of your body and provides gentle compression around the mid-section.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The high-rise cut and subtle flare make legs look a mile long, while the brand’s signature stretch denim hugs your curves without ever feeling restrictive.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Offstage, the millionaire rapper indulges in equally enviable passions.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Music unites the interconnecting stories in this saga and expands its passions, with a sumptuous score by composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens that taps into a wide range of American styles, idioms and amalgams, even as the second act turns more dissonant.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The result is a mobile, autonomous counter-drone system that can defeat swarms of unmanned aircraft with precision and minimal collateral damage.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Russia is suspected to be behind a series of drone swarms that surveyed and even disrupted critical infrastructure in Denmark and elsewhere, though investigations are ongoing.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crushes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crushes. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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