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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in overwhelming
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crushing
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Michael Regan/Getty Images A week that began with two Wrexham players combining to score on the international stage for the first time in the modern era ended in a crushing sense of disappointment.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The Nicklaus team taught the parents how to care for Katy at home, including crushing her pills and gingerly placing them in her feeding tube.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
But he can’t be bothered to address the Republican healthcare crisis crushing working class Americans.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Real self-care means learning how to protect your mental and physical health despite the crushing demands on your time.
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 18 Oct. 2025
In Russia, counter-extremism laws have become blunt instruments for crushing democracy.
—Jason M. Blazakis, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
Beneath her sense of duty is a crushing loneliness and the prospect of a life unfulfilled.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2025
He’s physically torn between love and death, marveling at the soul-crushing power of both.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Then came four straight touchdown drives, what looked like a crushing response by the Giants and, finally, a walk-off, 39-yard field goal by Broncos kicker Wil Lutz.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Michael Regan/Getty Images A week that began with two Wrexham players combining to score on the international stage for the first time in the modern era ended in a crushing sense of disappointment.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The Nicklaus team taught the parents how to care for Katy at home, including crushing her pills and gingerly placing them in her feeding tube.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
But he can’t be bothered to address the Republican healthcare crisis crushing working class Americans.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Real self-care means learning how to protect your mental and physical health despite the crushing demands on your time.
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 18 Oct. 2025
In Russia, counter-extremism laws have become blunt instruments for crushing democracy.
—Jason M. Blazakis, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
Beneath her sense of duty is a crushing loneliness and the prospect of a life unfulfilled.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2025
He’s physically torn between love and death, marveling at the soul-crushing power of both.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crushing
Verb
-
Try mashing a quarter of a ripe avocado and spreading it on your bread slices.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
17 Oct. 2025
-
New York's roster led the league in home runs this season, mashing 30 more than the next team with 274 overall, and scored 849 runs, the most in the league.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Phillies starters Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo did an excellent job quelling Ohtani in the NLDS, keeping him 0-for-6 with four strikeouts.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Rather than quelling terrorist attacks, permanently suppressing Palestinian aspirations would likely fuel an endless insurgency.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That hypnotizing aroma may be one thing, but there is actually a science to grinding coffee.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
15 Oct. 2025
-
But the patient, grinding work of peace implementation typically bores him.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Not even a month had passed since his big sister, Toraya, was shot and killed at an apartment complex in New Jersey, devastating the Reid family and shaking the Timberwolves organization to its core.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Oil was discovered there in the 1920s, and the county went through booms and busts for decades, enriching wildcatters and devastating the landscape, until a lasting bust left Loving County a virtual wasteland with no running water, paved roads, schools, hospitals, or grocery stores.—
Mitch Moxley,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Like, the sharp pains, the ache, that squeezing.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Baker says each piece is so soft, almost like squeezing mini chunks of cotton candy.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
So cramming those two tones together is a hard thing to do.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Government funding has been appropriated this way for the past nine fiscal years, with Congress cramming 108 spending measures into 13 bills.—
Lazaro Gamio,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After Namakura finished reading it, Styles bowed to the fans and put the mic down in the ring before hugging Nakamura.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Encourage job hugging for the right reasons.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The United States maintains overwhelming technological superiority but with increasingly unpredictable commitments.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The overwhelming reception has focused on the film’s unexpected humor and tonal originality, despite its true-crime origins.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crushing. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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