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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of smashes
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
Sorrell smashes his second home run of the day off the scoreboard, extending the Aggies' lead to 9-6.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 17 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
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
Plus, Zach Top, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Tucker Wetmore and several other stars all showed up and showed out for the occasion, performing some of country music’s biggest smashes of the year for an audience of their peers.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2025
That wait is over now, and this film has the chance to be one of the bigger box office smashes of 2026.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
Sorrell smashes his second home run of the day off the scoreboard, extending the Aggies' lead to 9-6.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 17 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
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
Plus, Zach Top, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Tucker Wetmore and several other stars all showed up and showed out for the occasion, performing some of country music’s biggest smashes of the year for an audience of their peers.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2025
That wait is over now, and this film has the chance to be one of the bigger box office smashes of 2026.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smashes
Verb
-
For example, people now take care to wear shoes at home in case an explosion shatters glass, or there’s a need to evacuate immediately.—
Jason Rezaian,
New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2026
-
At that moment, the mirror reflecting the entire contents of Frenza’s mind from the past few days shatters in a kaleidoscope of dreams.—
Agnieszka Szpila,
Harpers Magazine,
24 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
-
The extreme heat kills the plant tissue immediately and typically destroys the roots of many weed species.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Intrigued, the Duke secretly seduces Gilda, breaks her heart and destroys Rigoletto’s life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Flight 8646 slams into the fire truck.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
In the first season, Ronald meets James Marsden and immediately slams one of his films.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Traffic collisions totaled 1,404, a 25% increase from 2024 and 10 traffic fatalities, compared to six in 2024.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Alongside these head-on collisions, particles also produce a constant stream of near-miss events.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At least 16 people have died in helicopter crashes in Hawaii in the past seven years, including two crashes in 2019.—
JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
At least 16 people have died in helicopter crashes in Hawaii in the last seven years, including two crashes in 2019.—
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Leftist candidate wins Paris mayoral race The French left won the Paris mayor’s race, one of a number of blows to far-right and center-right challengers in nationwide municipal polls.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
What mattered more than his terseness was that Norris was allowed to land a few meaningful blows against the usually untouchable Lee, who stars as Tang Lung, a fighter summoned to defend a restaurant owner menaced by a crime boss.—
Chris Klimek,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Tears flowed, and the audience held space for grief, offering supportive claps and chants.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
That front will bring a chance of drizzle to the coast, a few claps of thunder to the Sacramento Valley and snow flurries to the Tahoe area.—
Anthony Edwards,
San Francisco Chronicle,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smashes. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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