as in overwhelming
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1
2
as in quelling
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 grinding
to reduce to fine particles
crushed the baby's medicine tablet and mixed it with applesauce
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in devastating
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
the terrible news of her death simply crushed the entire family
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in squeezing
to apply external pressure on so as to force out the juice or contents of
after crushing the grapes, let the skins soak in the juice in order to extract some color
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in cramming
to fit (people or things) into a tight space
the desperate refugees were crushed into the back of the truck
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in hugging
to put one's arms around and press tightly
she tearfully crushed the child to her breast
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crushing
Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Homeowners association fees for people living in condominiums or other multi-unit dwellings have been increasing year after year — doubling one year only to go up again the next — and the effect is crushing.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
Following that goal, Malkin was given a roughing penalty for crushing Zary behind the net.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Packers fans seemingly put LaFleur on the hot seat following their crushing defeat to the Chicago Bears.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
At the check-in desk (which is covered in palm-frond prints), you’ll be greeted with a free cold PBR, a tribute to the can-crushing dexterity of the notorious Blondie, who works the legendary lounge downstairs.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Olive oil is made by crushing olives and extracting their liquids.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
That legendary multiyear circumnavigation, a 45-minute sequence marked by paranoia, hallucinations, death, disease, starvation, groaning silence and crushing despair, makes for one of the most casually brutal depictions of transoceanic voyaging ever committed to film.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
And the way Denis Johnson writes about that in a kind of plain language … there’s an enormous amount of humility to his language that tells this story that suddenly becomes this crushing story about grief.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Amid the disorder, the regime turned to a familiar playbook of crushing dissent.
—Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Homeowners association fees for people living in condominiums or other multi-unit dwellings have been increasing year after year — doubling one year only to go up again the next — and the effect is crushing.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
Following that goal, Malkin was given a roughing penalty for crushing Zary behind the net.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Packers fans seemingly put LaFleur on the hot seat following their crushing defeat to the Chicago Bears.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
At the check-in desk (which is covered in palm-frond prints), you’ll be greeted with a free cold PBR, a tribute to the can-crushing dexterity of the notorious Blondie, who works the legendary lounge downstairs.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Olive oil is made by crushing olives and extracting their liquids.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
That legendary multiyear circumnavigation, a 45-minute sequence marked by paranoia, hallucinations, death, disease, starvation, groaning silence and crushing despair, makes for one of the most casually brutal depictions of transoceanic voyaging ever committed to film.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
And the way Denis Johnson writes about that in a kind of plain language … there’s an enormous amount of humility to his language that tells this story that suddenly becomes this crushing story about grief.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crushing
Adjective
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The pace of innovation was overwhelming, but the most important takeaway was not any single product or platform.—
Phil Kafarakis,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
His goal wasn’t to lower the bar out of resignation that the demands of parenting are too overwhelming.—
Danielle Marie Holland,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For even more intense banana flavor, our Test Kitchen recommends roasting your bananas in their skins for 15 minutes in a 350ºF oven before peeling and mashing them.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Jan. 2026
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Nutrition experts recommend incorporating lentils into dishes such as pasta, soups, and salads, using them as a substitute for flour in baking, and mashing them into a dip or spread to enhance the nutritional quality of your diet.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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This potency can be a good thing for quelling inflammation—but also calls for caution.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
9 Dec. 2025
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But the sentiment — quelling a craving, fueling a fervor, feeding the psychic hunger of a fanbase famished for reasons to celebrate ostentatiously — is applicable more broadly, too.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Most entrepreneurs are grinding themselves into the ground following advice that wasn't made for them.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
At times, the noise of grinding gears can obscure the soprano whoops and wails of the preschoolers.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While an eight-game winning run saw Cherki, Foden and Haaland hit their devastating best, three frustrating draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion were characterised by wastefulness in front of goal.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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Group members want to see Bonta’s office take ownership of a review, as occurred in Hawaii after Maui’s devastating Lahaina fire.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Fresh spinach requires large quantities and multiple steps—blanching, shocking, and squeezing—just to yield a usable amount.—
Amber Love Bond,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
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The bus ended up completely packed, everyone squeezing together in their parkas like a bunch of marshmallows.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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With the current contact period, during which coaches can visit recruits, ending Saturday and the following period not starting until mid-April, his team was busy booking charter flights and cramming seven days' worth of visits into four or five days.—
Doug Gollan,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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For those who are able to board, cramming us together is unsafe, not to mention uncomfortable.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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They had been caught hugging and kissing in a public bathroom.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
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From there the trail angles towards Wasson, hugging first one side of the high shoulder and then the other.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crushing. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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