smash 1 of 2

Definition of smashnext
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2
as in to demolish
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive the firecracker smashed the clay pot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of the invading troops smashed the resistance and went on to conquer the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

smash

2 of 2

noun

1
2
as in crash
the violent coming together of two bodies into destructive contact the sound of the smash made all of the bystanders immediately whip their heads around

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 smash
Verb
In 2025, King was found guilty of property damage after video captured him in Wells’ driveway wielding a hammer to smash the side mirror on Wells’ truck. Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026 His arrest triggers a riot by his supporters, who break into the court, smashing windows and equipment. ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
Shelton got to deuce with an overhead smash from the net and a backhand winner that caught Fritz going the wrong way. ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026 Silence of the Lambs surprised the industry as an Oscar-winning, generation-defining smash. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smash
Verb
  • Jamerson’s dreams of a solid return to a school that snubbed him were shattered.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Officer Nik Anderson was struck in the arm, shattering his humerus bone.
    Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • After the city of New York demolished the Polo Grounds in 1964, a crumbling concrete staircase stood forgotten as the last remaining vestige of the legendary stadium.
    Libby Cierzniak, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026
  • With his daughter, Lupel also tutored youngsters from the Cabrini-Green housing project before it was demolished.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Gizmodo continues that the results of the CT scans astonished researchers because her right TMJ, near the ear, had been destroyed.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Half a million acres burned, destroying $300 million in timber and at least 150 homes and other structures.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • There’s an argument to be made that the Panthers should tear up Jackson’s contract and bump his pay.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
  • There’s a lot of serendipity and people bumping into one another.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Vehicle collisions on the road are a top cause of bear mortality.
    Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball got into a minor collision on Wednesday afternoon in uptown Charlotte.
    Rod Boone, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • One of the vehicles in the crash was a pickup pulling a trailer carrying more than 30 goats.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
  • The department has been aggressively going after states that handed out commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants who shouldn’t have qualified for them ever since a fatal crash in August.
    Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In a 6-3 decision on Friday, the court dealt a major blow to the president's economic agenda.
    Julia Cherner, ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
  • The 6-3 ruling is a major blow to Trump's economic policy agenda.
    Kristin Wright, NPR, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • My bangs stuck straight up, as if actively trying to escape my face.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 Feb. 2026
  • That quiet was punctuated only by muffled bangs, as Sugar Bowl ski patrollers set off explosives in the peaks above to mitigate the danger of an avalanche inbounds at the resort.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Smash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smash. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

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