as in striking
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Dissimilar Words
as in hammering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in shattering
to cause to break with violence and much noise
the drunken guest deliberately smashed a glass against the brick fireplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in demolishing
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 destroying
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 bumping
to come into usually forceful contact with something
we nearly smashed into each other on the skating rink
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smashing
Celia Wren, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023
The program, in many respects, has been a smashing success.
—Tom Benning, Dallas News, 1 May 2020
Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
Most of the smashing is done by Tamburlaine, a Scythian shepherd by birth, who rises to the peaks of power, lays waste to one kingdom after another, and has the temerity, at the climax of Part 1, not to die.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
O’Donnell pressed Trump on videos that surfaced of ICE officers using tear gas in a Chicago residential neighborhood and smashing car windows.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smashing
Adjective
Director Zi Alikhan keeps the proceedings lively, not least with a smashing dance sequence choreographed by Ambika Raina, also the show’s associate director.
—Celia Wren, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023
The program, in many respects, has been a smashing success.
—Tom Benning, Dallas News, 1 May 2020
Noun
As the trailer promises, those threats — whether of the high-flying, head-smashing, fiery, toothy or mysterious variety — will leave audiences on the edge of their seats, and holding onto their butts.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
Most of the smashing is done by Tamburlaine, a Scythian shepherd by birth, who rises to the peaks of power, lays waste to one kingdom after another, and has the temerity, at the climax of Part 1, not to die.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Category 5 Hurricane Melissa was an eye-popping storm, smashing historical records — and the western end of Jamaica — last week.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
O’Donnell pressed Trump on videos that surfaced of ICE officers using tear gas in a Chicago residential neighborhood and smashing car windows.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smashing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smashing
Adjective
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Calf & Pony Hair The sleek, tactile surface of pony hair adds a bold edge to any accessory, creating a striking contrast in bags, hats, and footwear.—
Cortne Bonilla,
Vogue,
9 Nov. 2025
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Several of the most striking photographs in the book are of the studio itself, which appears empty except for a pair of high heels reflected in a wall of mirrors or a rumpled military blanket, a favorite backdrop, pinned to a bare wall.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The sound of hammering came from outside in the driveway, where some men were building a coffin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The 4-0 hammering in France has seen Ajax’s chance of elimination before the knockout stage rise to 85 per cent.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When a world-shattering event turns most of the global population into a friendly hive mind, Carol sets out to protect her individuality.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
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But this average-looking citizen could become almost anything, throwing himself into roles with shattering power.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The military showed us a map of Hamas tunnel routes Israeli forces are still discovering and demolishing in the area.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
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Most recently, crews began demolishing the East Wing of the White House.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And candidates who stoked fear in voters — with the threat of towering multi-family complexes destroying their communities or costly local infrastructure projects driving up taxes — lost by clear margins.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
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Derek Lopez, 27, was fired from his role at the university after he was caught on camera destroying a Turning Point display.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Kylie's debut dethroned Joe Rogan, bumping The Joe Rogan Experience down to the second spot.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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Our team noted whether the vacuums were able to navigate around the house without bumping into furniture or getting caught on area rugs.—
Terri Williams,
Architectural Digest,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Brazil is set to introduce an ambitious and innovative new system for financing forest protection (more on that below) and Lula comes into COP30 with an impressive record of successful forest protection.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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From the facade crafted from hinoki wood, a rare cypress that’s often reserved for Japanese temples and shrines, to impressive cultural programming and exhibitions, there’s always something worth seeing.—
Jade Moyano,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The Bulldogs have shut them out six times during that streak, including last year’s 43-0 thumping.—
Matt Schubert,
Denver Post,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Mariota played well in his first start, a Week 3 thumping of the Raiders.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smashing. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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