1
as in shatters
to cause to break with violence and much noise
the drunken guest deliberately smashed a glass against the brick fireplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in demolishes
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 destroys
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
as in slams
to come into usually forceful contact with something
we nearly smashed into each other on the skating rink
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in collisions
a forceful coming together of two things
the awful smash when his dreams got hit by reality
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in crashes
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
3
as in blows
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
she gave the tennis ball a smash and sent it flying over the other side of the net
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in claps
a loud explosive sound
the bikes collided with a huge smash
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in hits
a person or thing that is successful
the new Broadway musical is a smash
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of smashes
Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
Delivery robot smashes into glass of bus shelter in Old Town on Tuesday afternoon.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
In fact, Bridget has a bold take that smashes our assumptions about what science is supposed to look like to smithereens.
—Mariel Carr, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
The figure smashes Styles’ previous personal best with Harry’s House, which opened with sales of 113,000.
—Sophie Williams, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2026
This weekend’s attack on Iran smashes through those limits altogether.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
At one point, someone runs up behind the officer and smashes a snowball into the back of the cop’s head.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Flowers and debris go flying as the vehicle then smashes head-on into a tree.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Sammie smashes Remmick over the head with his guitar before the vampire can sink his claws into him.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
By the time of their trio of English-language smashes, the most casual BTS listeners might have had no idea of the group’s rap-heavy beginning.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2026
In fact, there were many loud screams in the theater and the smashes seemed plenty.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
This behind-the-scenes professional has shepherded box office smashes and prestige titles into the pop culture conversation.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
As racket smashes go, there isn’t much smashing of the racket here.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The patties are indeed thin, but the burger sits more upright than most smashes and there isn’t the lacy crispness on the edges.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Huntr/x is on the same level as Twice and (G)I-dle, tied for the second-most smashes among girl groups connected to K-pop.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Mars is known for his string of solo smashes and high-profile collaborations that have dominated the charts and racked up awards.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
But Wark smashes a ball to left field for the Aggies to retake the lead, 7-5.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
Delivery robot smashes into glass of bus shelter in Old Town on Tuesday afternoon.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
In fact, Bridget has a bold take that smashes our assumptions about what science is supposed to look like to smithereens.
—Mariel Carr, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
The figure smashes Styles’ previous personal best with Harry’s House, which opened with sales of 113,000.
—Sophie Williams, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2026
This weekend’s attack on Iran smashes through those limits altogether.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
At one point, someone runs up behind the officer and smashes a snowball into the back of the cop’s head.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Flowers and debris go flying as the vehicle then smashes head-on into a tree.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Sammie smashes Remmick over the head with his guitar before the vampire can sink his claws into him.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
Fans of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers — who have sold more than 20 million albums and notched more than 40 international gold and platinum discs — can expect to hear a mix of old and new, smashes and deep cuts, when Cheap Trick visits Bridges Auditorium in Claremont on April 21.
—Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
By the time of their trio of English-language smashes, the most casual BTS listeners might have had no idea of the group’s rap-heavy beginning.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2026
In fact, there were many loud screams in the theater and the smashes seemed plenty.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
This behind-the-scenes professional has shepherded box office smashes and prestige titles into the pop culture conversation.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
As racket smashes go, there isn’t much smashing of the racket here.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The patties are indeed thin, but the burger sits more upright than most smashes and there isn’t the lacy crispness on the edges.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Huntr/x is on the same level as Twice and (G)I-dle, tied for the second-most smashes among girl groups connected to K-pop.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Mars is known for his string of solo smashes and high-profile collaborations that have dominated the charts and racked up awards.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smashes
Verb
-
Related Stories The film shatters stereotypical visuals of space, veering away from cold and desaturated colors, and using warmer tones such as orange.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
-
His refusal to take the curse seriously shatters her trust, leaving her questioning their entire relationship.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For those who know the play well, some of Mantello’s choices are most striking, especially the horror here of the famous hotel-room scene with a tawdry lover (brutally played by Katherine Romans), an act born of loneliness that destroys a father’s relationship with his son forever.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Alzheimer’s disease, a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, affects more than 6 million Americans, most of them age 65 or older.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On stage, Cameron Winter leads an overall enthralling performance, as the group slams out songs back-to-back with little to say in between; no shenanigans, just a top-notch show.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
When Daisy slams the bedroom door in frustration, June can’t help but smile at the cliched rebellion.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
None of the four fatal crashes occurred within the project’s limits, but four separate collisions in the half-mile stretch have killed people since 2017.—
Chris Fusco. Story produced with AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Airport officials didn't respond immediately to questions about what happened and what procedures are in place to prevent collisions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Airline crashes get much more media attention, but road, rail and water mishaps affect far more people and can result in lasting psychological disability.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
-
At least 141 people died in crashes with them over the last five years.—
Michael Kaplan,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The event felt like a throwback to the glitzy, lavish Hollywood premieres that used to take over the town every weekend, but have become scarce since the film business suffered a series of blows that have led to lots of belt-tightening.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
21 Apr. 2026
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The Senate’s quick passage of the 10-day patch was starkly different than the House’s rare overnight session, during which House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was dealt two consecutive blows.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That’ll be the stormiest period of the weekend, with gusts up to 40 mph and potentially more claps of thunder.—
Anthony Edwards,
San Francisco Chronicle,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Tears flowed, and the audience held space for grief, offering supportive claps and chants.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smashes. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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