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
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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
Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
But the tale of the game would be those relief points, just crushing us on the glass.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
In each place, Democrats delivered crushing defeats to their Republican opponents.
—Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
Many in the party blame him for their crushing electoral loss last November, and continued revelations about his health and mental fitness have plagued evaluations of his presidency.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2025
Elucid and billy woods trade verses sniping the quick rise of artificial intelligence, memorializing their neighborhoods, and trying to slow the roll of soul-crushing news.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2025
Here, the dynamic is inverted, with Flambae helping Robert from crushing himself while bench-pressing without a spotter.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
The wave machine someone invented to simulate the oceans of Pandora risks crushing the actors to death under eight pounds of steel?
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025
But crushing a competent Wake Forest team is several steps above that.
—Matt Baker, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
In three full seasons since that postseason run – which concluded quickly as a result of a crushing 34-11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round – Murray has failed to post a winning season as a starter.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
But the tale of the game would be those relief points, just crushing us on the glass.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
In each place, Democrats delivered crushing defeats to their Republican opponents.
—Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
Many in the party blame him for their crushing electoral loss last November, and continued revelations about his health and mental fitness have plagued evaluations of his presidency.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2025
Elucid and billy woods trade verses sniping the quick rise of artificial intelligence, memorializing their neighborhoods, and trying to slow the roll of soul-crushing news.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2025
Here, the dynamic is inverted, with Flambae helping Robert from crushing himself while bench-pressing without a spotter.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
The wave machine someone invented to simulate the oceans of Pandora risks crushing the actors to death under eight pounds of steel?
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025
But crushing a competent Wake Forest team is several steps above that.
—Matt Baker, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crushing
Adjective
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Russia’s aerial assault on Ukraine has shown that the most surefire way to strike sensitive targets is by overwhelming sophisticated Western air defense systems with cheaper munitions such as drones so that more powerful ballistic missiles can hit their targets, experts say.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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In New York City, Mamdani won overwhelming support from the youngest voters, earning 78 percent of their votes.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The two-time All-Star became the third player in Yankees history to record a 30-30 season after mashing 31 home runs and stealing 31 bases.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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In addition to hype surrounding the pie itself, shoppers are sharing their love for mashing a piece of the pumpkin pie in a cup of Costco soft serve ice cream (available in the food court) to make a do-it-yourself sundae.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There are plenty of different approaches to quelling snoring, including nasal strips, side sleeping, weight loss and, for those with sleep apnea, a CPAP machine prescribed by a doctor.—
Ian Kerner,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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Even as plenty of doctors have scrambled to address the flaws of the WHI and the benefits of HRT for quelling the symptoms of menopause, women have remained, understandably, deterred by the scary warning.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And when daily wear and tear was simulated – through continuous electric-toothbrush abrasion equivalent to about a year of brushing, as well as chewing and grinding – the teeth actually had superior resistance to wear, fracture and acid attack compared with natural enamel.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Nov. 2025
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After more than a decade grinding in the pop machine, something about Zara Larsson finally clicked this summer.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Last year’s devastating drought in the Amazon Basin was made 30 times more likely by climate change, according to a report from World Weather Attribution, a network of scientists that analyze extreme weather events.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Earlier this year, California’s devastating Eaton Fire destroyed much of Altadena, a diverse, creative community just north of Pasadena.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Bagail 6-piece Compression Packing Cube Set is just $19 and a game-changer for squeezing extra outfits into a carry-on.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
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To check for ripeness, start by squeezing the fruit—ripe mangos should give slightly under pressure without feeling overly soft or mushy.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Coffee maker brands have, increasingly, been cramming more and more brewing options into a single machine.—
Emily Farris,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
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Now Governor Healey and the homeless industrial complex have set their heart on over-cramming capacity on Redlands Road.—
Lou Murray,
Boston Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Harbour and Brown arrived together on the red carpet for the premiere of the latest season and were captured on camera laughing, hugging each other and posing for photos.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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Sweeney’s look played with proportions, with the leg-hugging footwear offsetting her oversized ensemble.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crushing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crushing. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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