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
David Doty, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Electric trucks from Volvo Trucks, supported by material transport, are enabling fully emission-free operations from selective gutting through to concrete crushing, materials processing, and transport.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Then there were the gym class scooters, which were basically just a flat plastic surface and four wheels of death that would send you careening across the gym floor, often crushing your fingers in the process.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
The Dodgers also took a no-hitter into the ninth inning on Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards and not only lost the no-hitter but lost the game in crushing fashion.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Jerry Jeudy makes far too much money to wreck possessions with two drops, one that killed a drive and another that resulted in a crushing interception.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Poland opted for a strategic series of stabilization measures that managed to avoid crushing hyperinflation or the rise of oligarchs that have come to dominate some neighboring states to this day.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
That finding adds to the growing pile of evidence that AI is crushing the market for entry-level jobs, which have traditionally been a stepping stone for recent grads trying to launch their careers, especially in white-collar sectors.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Set largely inside the White House, the film imagines the terrifying scenario of an imminent nuclear missile strike on the United States by an unknown adversary, forcing military and civilian leaders to make impossible decisions under crushing time pressure.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Even well-meaning regulation can have soul-destroying and industry-crushing consequences.
—David Doty, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Electric trucks from Volvo Trucks, supported by material transport, are enabling fully emission-free operations from selective gutting through to concrete crushing, materials processing, and transport.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Then there were the gym class scooters, which were basically just a flat plastic surface and four wheels of death that would send you careening across the gym floor, often crushing your fingers in the process.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
The Dodgers also took a no-hitter into the ninth inning on Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards and not only lost the no-hitter but lost the game in crushing fashion.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Jerry Jeudy makes far too much money to wreck possessions with two drops, one that killed a drive and another that resulted in a crushing interception.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Poland opted for a strategic series of stabilization measures that managed to avoid crushing hyperinflation or the rise of oligarchs that have come to dominate some neighboring states to this day.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
That finding adds to the growing pile of evidence that AI is crushing the market for entry-level jobs, which have traditionally been a stepping stone for recent grads trying to launch their careers, especially in white-collar sectors.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Set largely inside the White House, the film imagines the terrifying scenario of an imminent nuclear missile strike on the United States by an unknown adversary, forcing military and civilian leaders to make impossible decisions under crushing time pressure.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crushing
Verb
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There’s no time to get your bearings; an EDM drop smashes everything to pieces, then a pained voice croons in the rubble while drunkenly mashing a detuned guitar.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
27 Aug. 2025
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That includes mashing three home runs in 24 games since returning to Lake Elsinore after missing more than two months to a left quad strain.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Giddey also took a significant step toward quelling concerns about him as a shooter.—
Bobby Krivitsky,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The Dalai Lama has been the key figure quelling violence when grassroots dissatisfaction has escalated into episodic uprisings in Tibet.—
Tenzin Dorjee,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This budget-friendly Presto knife sharpener features a two-stage sharpening system for grinding knife blades and honing them to a polished and sharp finish.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
9 Sep. 2025
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Miley Cyrus shocked viewers by stripping down to a nude bikini top and briefs and grinding, twerking and thrusting on fellow performer Robin Thicke at the 2013 show in one of the raciest performances in MTV history.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From delivering disaster relief during devastating recent floods to investing in food banks, the business’ presence extends far beyond its checkout lines.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
-
While the negative human-health effects of smoke from the Glass Fire have been well documented, the toxic brown blanket covering the Napa Valley is also devastating bee populations, said local beekeeper John Sevigny.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That could be due to tariffs squeezing automakers, disincentivizing them from giving discounts.—
Senior Reporter,
PC Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
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This could be done by either squeezing the regular season even tighter with more midweek fixtures or putting the Wembley final back a week.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There is a clear risk for streamers cramming sports into their portfolios.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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While the airlines are undeniably cramming us all in regardless of our waist size, for passengers who truly don’t fit in a standard economy seat, policies like Southwest’s help not only them but their fellow travelers be safer and more comfortable onboard, and that’s a good thing.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In typical athlete origin story fashion, the first half of the Christy trailer depicts the unpolished, brunette Sweeney as real-life champion Christy Salters Martin slugging it out in practice, training on a beach, and hugging her supportive team.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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But most are job hugging because job hoppers no longer get the big salary bump.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Our brains evolve against friction, which means challenges that are difficult enough to promote growth but not so overwhelming as to cause surrender.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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The Collector’s Experience—Curated, Not Crowded Walking into a luxury watch boutique can feel overwhelming.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crushing. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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