Synonyms of crush
-
as in to mash
-
as in to quell
-
as in to grind
-
as in to overwhelm
-
as in to squeeze
-
as in to cram
-
as in to hug
-
as in mashing
-
as in quelling
-
as in grinding
-
as in devastating
-
as in squeezing
-
as in cramming
-
as in hugging
-
as in passion
-
as in swarm
-
as in overwhelming
-
Synonym Chooser
-
Example Sentences
-
Entries Near
-
Related Articles
1
2
as in to quell
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 to grind
to reduce to fine particles
crushed the baby's medicine tablet and mixed it with applesauce
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
the terrible news of her death simply crushed the entire family
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
6
7
as in to hug
to put one's arms around and press tightly
she tearfully crushed the child to her breast
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in swarm
a great number of persons or creatures massed together
the huge crush in the store must have far exceeded safety limits
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in overwhelming
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crush
Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
The physical and mental toll of providing her son with a decent life, however, is crushing.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
By noon, much of the pressure on the TSA checkpoints at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood had been alleviated, with much smaller lines than the crush of travelers before sunrise.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Barbara Hoare, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, Matsuoka’s speechless wife becomes obsessed with collecting and recycling trash bags filled with plastic cans, crushing them underfoot with a giddy gaze on her face.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crush
Verb
Taken together, these actions will cripple Iran military, crush their ability to support terrorist proxies and deny them the ability to build a nuclear bomb.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
The physical and mental toll of providing her son with a decent life, however, is crushing.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
The 2025 title was RCB's first, but the celebrations turned tragic when at least 11 people died in a deadly crowd crush at the team’s stadium.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
By noon, much of the pressure on the TSA checkpoints at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood had been alleviated, with much smaller lines than the crush of travelers before sunrise.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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
Insurance companies have the capacity to relieve patients and employers from crushing premium increases.
—Barbara Hoare, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, Matsuoka’s speechless wife becomes obsessed with collecting and recycling trash bags filled with plastic cans, crushing them underfoot with a giddy gaze on her face.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crush
Noun
-
Let that passion carry you through the busier stretches.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Family comes first, and mom leads the way for the Carusos, and their passion is Chicago's famous signature condiment, giardiniera.—
Edie Kasten,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has its own navy that also relies on smaller vessels to do swarm attacks and drop mines.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Iran has wreaked havoc on military bases, tourist centers and data centers used by America’s largest tech giants with swarms of low-cost Shahed drones that cost between $20,000 and $50,000, according to public estimates.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In its final form, though, the change — 8 to 10 feet closer in the corners with the gaps tapering toward a still 410-foot centerfield — certainly doesn’t appear overwhelming.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In improving to 35-3, South Carolina’s 6-foot-3 All-American Joyce Edwards scored 24 points and had 12 rebounds, nine on the offensive glass in overwhelming TCU.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The story begins on a train, somewhat subverts the typical strangers-on-a-train narrative in which a chance encounter leads to a love story (that is, the Linklater version rather than the Hitchcock one).—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The 15-year-old has a strong love for reading and often chooses chapter books, happily spending time getting lost in a good story.—
The Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As the minutes passed and the throng thickened, a police officer had to repeatedly remind people not to block the crosswalk.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Vast plazas are missing the typical throngs of faithful and tourists.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
My ila facial was pure joy—no painful extraction or aggravating scrubs here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Both seasons were painfully funny (often just painful), but the humor sometimes got lost as time has proven even its most over-the-top bits eerily correct.—
Jennifer Silverman,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Annie can be seen playing, seeking affection and happily engaging with Hannah and the other dogs in the home.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Her 84-year-old mother’s case, still being investigated by law enforcement, generated an outpouring of public affection for the co-host.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During the Catholic holiday of Palm Sunday, hundreds of pajareros from across the country flock to Mexico City and decorate 10-foot-tall stacks of cages, adorning them with bright flowers, tinsel and images of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patron saint.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Between royal duties, King Charles checks in on his flock.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crush. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
