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
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
Group dinners, beach nights and mutual-friend crushes could feel surprisingly romantic.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 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 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
Group dinners, beach nights and mutual-friend crushes could feel surprisingly romantic.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 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
-
The answer is that dim residential lighting, at intensities typical of a porch light, suppresses mosquito dormancy more powerfully than even urban warming does.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Pregnancy suppresses the immune system, and dozens of pregnant women or women who had recently given birth died from COVID in California.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Not necessarily that the basketball becomes easier, but each minute is so tense, both teams are so focused and each possession is so tight that the winner is often decided by which team — or player — can execute when the game grinds to a halt.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
-
To craft the burger, the team coarsely grinds — twice — the leftover pieces of meat and fat trimmed from either a brisket or shoulder clod, then forms 8-ounce-thick patties, which are rolled in a housemade all-purpose rub and 16-mesh pepper and smoked for two hours.—
Sam Flemming,
AJC.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Wild scenes unfold as social media teen meetup overwhelms popular beach.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
This high-corn composition lays the foundation for a sweet, approachable profile, while the modest rye content adds a measured spice that never overwhelms.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Even Zach Cherry squeezes plenty from his part as the dealership’s manager, who grows loudly resentful when Nate seems more emotionally invested in his biological children than coworkers.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
27 May 2026
-
War squeezes African, Asian economies further The fallout of the Iran war deepened globally as countries struggled to contain the impact of rising fuel and commodity prices.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
22 May 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
-
The two-term Democrat is running in the new 25th Congressional District, which hugs the coast from Delray Beach in the north, through Broward, and ends in Miami Beach.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
28 May 2026
-
One of the reasons the view from the Hydrangea Train is so spectacular is because the route hugs a steep mountain pass in this narrow valley.—
Kristine Hansen,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
But the vibe, or lack of it, was much the same in Huntington Beach, where MAGA passions run high.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
-
Obama advised youngsters to avoid the trappings of wealth to be able to pursue their passions more freely.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crushes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crushes. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
