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
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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
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4
as in claps
a loud explosive sound
the bikes collided with a huge smash
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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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of smashes
Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Before the opening credits roll, Creasy smashes his car into a concrete barrier.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
The group is among the most successful access-broker operations, a class of hackers that smashes and grabs credentials from victims and then sells them to other hackers.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2026
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
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
Sergei Bubka of the Soviet Union breaks his world outdoor pole vault record and Seppo Raty of Finland smashes the world javelin record during the Toto International Super Track and Field Meet in Japan.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Before the opening credits roll, Creasy smashes his car into a concrete barrier.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
The group is among the most successful access-broker operations, a class of hackers that smashes and grabs credentials from victims and then sells them to other hackers.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2026
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
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
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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
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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
-
After hundreds to thousands of years, the feeding black hole or neutron star falls into the stellar core and destroys it, creating a luminous emission.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
-
Federal debt destroys wealth and impedes economic growth.—
Rose Evans
May 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Now, however, the team behind the new research believes the events are caused when a compact stellar remnant, like a black hole or a neutron star, slams into the universe's hottest class of star, massive stellar bodies called Wolf-Rayet stars.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
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In other words, automatic registration slams the courthouse door on women, but not on men, because registration is its own injury.—
Wendy Murphy,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Similar giant elliptical basins exist on Mars and even Pluto, meaning the new modeling approach could help scientists reinterpret collisions across the solar system.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
9 May 2026
-
The teen’s death is the latest in a spate of serious collisions involving electric motorcycles and dirt bikes — some of which have led to serious injuries, death or charges for parents who allegedly allowed their minors to illegally ride the speedy devices.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
But the surge has been shadowed by a spate of deadly crashes.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
Felix Rosenqvist was involved in one of the scarier crashes of the day.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
The visit also comes as both sides have been trading blows ahead of the summit.—
Evelyn Cheng,Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
-
His saga has been built with blows of faith, discipline and a conviction rarely seen, even at the elite level.—
Jorge Ebro
May 6,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
There was no standing ovation, only a few sporadic claps mixed in with folks cheering for Fitzpatrick.—
Jordan Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Smashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smashes. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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