smashes 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of smash
1
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

smashes

2 of 2

noun

plural of smash
1
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
4
5

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 smashes
Verb
The skater then grabs his board and smashes his opponent in the head with it. Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026 Following the Oklahoma style, the team smashes Vidalia onions directly into the beef, making the patties superthin, then tops them with brown mustard, American cheese and pickles. Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 1 July 2026 Pele controls the ball in the penalty area with his thigh, flips it over the head of the defender and smashes it past a helpless Kalle Svensson. Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 Moving fusion energy closer to reality Fusion smashes light atomic nuclei together to release energy, mirroring the process that powers the sun. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2026 Here in Fort America, the walls creak, then something smashes onto the roof. Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 The Three Lions retake the lead 2-1 in the 43rd minute after Harry Kane smashes a header from Declan Rice in the net off a set piece. Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026 Max freaks out upon seeing the video — and after finding a dog collar in the envelope — smashes the TV with a fireplace poker. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026 Then the climax subsides for a lovely coda of strings, accompanied by a denouement in which the now casually clad, contemporary-looking singer smashes up her play set in the apartment where she’s presumably been brooding over all this stuff. Chris Willman, Variety, 22 May 2026
Noun
This Week Thanks in part to his pair of returning smashes, Wallen claims the most appearances on this week’s Streaming Songs chart. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 The track — with its croaking guitar, cymbal smashes, and stuttering vocals — sounds nothing like Brat’s gleaming, clubby gems (or the bouncy pop-punk of her 2014 LP Sucker, for that matter). Caryn Ganz, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smashes
Verb
  • As Hogi pokes a hole in this plot and shatters the industrial love complex we’ve been sold song after song, movie after movie, the workplace version of this unhealthy relationship presents a familiar parallel.
    Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • In Book 5, Poseidon sends a storm that shatters the boat that Odysseus was sailing in, alone.
    Chris Moody, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
Verb
  • An $8,000 Ryvid Anthem or a $10,000 Maeving RM1S will deliver broadly similar urban usability, while the $12,500 Zero FXE absolutely demolishes it on power-per-dollar.
    Utkarsh Sood June 12, New Atlas, 12 June 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • The finale’s real tragedy is that Max, in his own warped pursuit of justice, destroys everyone around him before being forced to see his entire crusade differently.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
  • Alas the aforementioned entity has invaded MJ’s mind, if not body, and destroys any idea that this passionate moment was actually real.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 28 July 2026
Verb
  • This is happening as a demographic shift to an older, grayer population slams Colorado.
    Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
  • Taylor Sheridan slams critics Sheridan's series are all hits with regular people, but he's routinely been a target for critics.
    David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Unintentional collisions are fewer in number, as are rocket stages, but are not unprecedented.
    Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Spotting this behavior early can cut down on the risk of future collisions.
    Sentry Insurance, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The latest incident comes amid a string of deadly crashes this summer involving children accused of stealing vehicles.
    Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The rampage caused more property damage, additional crashes between other vehicles and ultimately injuries to three people who were treated at a hospital.
    Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • After the dustups, the offense went from taking blows from the defense to delivering some of its own.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
  • During the less than a minute-long elevator ride, the duo trading blows, according to the video.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • The Golf Channel would always be playing in the background; the soft claps were the soundtrack to our slow Saturdays.
    Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026
  • One of the moments in the musical that caused the most laughter and claps from the audience was the final song, which mocks the idea of using violence as a form of protest rather than joining a movement or focusing on policy.
    Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Smashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smashes. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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