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
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4
as in devastating
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
the terrible news of her death simply crushed the entire family
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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
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6
as in cramming
to fit (people or things) into a tight space
the desperate refugees were crushed into the back of the truck
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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
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Even the laughs and smiles that Joe and Kate Keller issue are fleeting, a respite from the journey toward a more crushing reality.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
When Rushing was dominating his final season at Louisville, crushing 23 home runs in just 64 games, the Dodgers coveted him ahead of the 2022 MLB Draft.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 8 May 2026
The Hornets went 10-4 at home but 0-17 on the road in their final season in the Big Sky Conference, a season marked by the talent of Williams but also the crushing injuries that stalled the team.
—Joe Davidson
may 7, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
First, rising costs are crushing working families.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Mostafa Karimi, head of the local Culture and Guidance Office, reported that on the second day of recovery efforts, a heavy concrete slab fell from the upper structure, crushing the leg of a man who was searching for his child.
—Zohreh Saberi, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
On the surface, being out of the running for Super Bowls is crushing news.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
April’s list includes tracking Roman ship repairs, the discovery that mushrooms can detect human urine, crushing soda cans for science, and the physics of why dolphins can swim so fast.
—ArsTechnica, 2 May 2026
Often, amid the scramble of a breaking story or a crushing deadline, a cool, smiling Chardy would shrug and utter the mantra that came to define him to his Herald colleagues.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
Adjective
And that makes his collapse all the more crushing.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Even the laughs and smiles that Joe and Kate Keller issue are fleeting, a respite from the journey toward a more crushing reality.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
Akiira’Ley Vazquez went the distance while striking out 11 as well as crushing two home runs and driving in four as Greater New Bedford topped Old Rochester 10-2 in South Coast Conference action.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
When Rushing was dominating his final season at Louisville, crushing 23 home runs in just 64 games, the Dodgers coveted him ahead of the 2022 MLB Draft.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 8 May 2026
The Hornets went 10-4 at home but 0-17 on the road in their final season in the Big Sky Conference, a season marked by the talent of Williams but also the crushing injuries that stalled the team.
—Joe Davidson
may 7, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
First, rising costs are crushing working families.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Mostafa Karimi, head of the local Culture and Guidance Office, reported that on the second day of recovery efforts, a heavy concrete slab fell from the upper structure, crushing the leg of a man who was searching for his child.
—Zohreh Saberi, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
On the surface, being out of the running for Super Bowls is crushing news.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
April’s list includes tracking Roman ship repairs, the discovery that mushrooms can detect human urine, crushing soda cans for science, and the physics of why dolphins can swim so fast.
—ArsTechnica, 2 May 2026
Often, amid the scramble of a breaking story or a crushing deadline, a cool, smiling Chardy would shrug and utter the mantra that came to define him to his Herald colleagues.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crushing
Adjective
-
There is an overwhelming amount to digest.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
-
Its preppy collared neckline and textured ribbed fabric feel eye-catching and elevated without being overwhelming.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
However, the election itself has a more lax timeline, so Kemp could wait to schedule it until September or even November, leaving District 13 without leadership and mashing the special election up with the normal midterm election for Scott’s seat.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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Often apologizing in between bites, Beard, 40, eats savagely with his hands, squeezing food and mashing it into his mouth.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Government forces brought reinforcements into Suqaylabiyah, quelling the violence.—
Omar Albam,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In December, the Mouse House pledged to invest $1 billion in OpenAI and entered a three-year licensing agreement for allowing over 200 Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars characters’ likenesses to be used in Sora, quelling some of the text-to-video app’s brushups with copyright law.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Whereas most of his teammates got their start playing high school and college ball, Natty began by grinding it out in the Northern California mountain town of Lake Tahoe, the Washington Nationals said in a news release.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
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Begin by gently grinding the tip of your dog’s nails, being careful not to grind too much or too quickly and keeping the grinder at a slight angle to avoid the quick.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Declining demand and cheap imports meant most mines had closed by the 1990s, devastating an economy built around them.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
6 May 2026
-
Right now, communities are still waiting on disaster funding after devastating wildfires.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
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While progressive Democrats are pushing to tax billionaires and close corporate loopholes, Republicans are warning that squeezing job creators will severely damage Illinois’ economy.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
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Higher fuel costs are leading to inflation and squeezing household budgets, while industries from manufacturing to transport are facing rising operating costs and supply disruptions.—
Julhas Alam,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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If a dozen new works over four days isn’t enough, try cramming 50 plays by 50 playwrights into a single day.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
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The Halfday Convertible 2-in-1 Garment Duffel Bag will help avoid cramming extra clothes into your main bag, which usually leads to everything getting messy and disorganized.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sitting just to the left of the net with American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck still hugging the opposite post, MacKinnon sailed a wrist shot just wide of the pipes.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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Goodell had some fun onstage, hugging Buck in the increasingly aggressive way that he has been known to hug players at the draft.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crushing. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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