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smashing 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of smashingnext
as in striking

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smashing

2 of 3

noun

as in hammering

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smashing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of smash
1
as in shattering
to cause to break with violence and much noise the drunken guest deliberately smashed a glass against the brick fireplace

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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

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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

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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

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 smashing
Adjective
Her book was a smashing success, selling half a million copies in its first week. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 21 May 2026 The project is described as Twain’s most autobiographical work yet — a record that reconnects the superstar with her Northern Ontario upbringing while still embracing the genre-smashing instincts that made her one of modern country music’s biggest crossover artists. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 13 May 2026
Noun
In a little corner of my mind, however, history will always mean the tragic smashing of individual lives by its cruel hands and the scattering of bewildered people reeling from its blows. — Literary Hub, 14 July 2026 The 17-mile (27 km) long proton-smashing tunnel, running 300 feet (100 m) below the ground near the Swiss-French border, is at the heart of the physics research conducted by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026
Verb
Suspect accused of smashing Vice President Vance's windows enters plea. — FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Simms was also accused of smashing windows of a vehicle parked in the driveway. — Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smashing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smashing
  1. striking
  2. hammering
  3. shattering
  4. demolishing
  5. destroying
  6. bumping
  7. impressive
  8. thumping
Adjective
  • Roman design studio Roselli Architetti was enlisted to restore it into one building without forgetting its history; the result is a striking design that blends ancient artifacts with retro midcentury flooring and contemporary furnishings.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • While eight of these cases were in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, a striking 95 occurred in Hillsborough County, where mosquito control teams are working overtime and ramping up spraying.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of striking
Noun
  • This song features a kick drum throughout, and the boosted bass takes it from background timekeeping to foreground hammering.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The Middle East faces chaotic power shifts as Iran, despite taking a hammering, refuses to back down, though its regional influence is expected to wane.
    — Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of hammering
Verb
  • Last week a number of concerned mathematicians, many of them at the top of their subject, launched the Association for Human Mathematics (AHM)—an effort that was underway even before the earth-shattering Navier-Stokes news.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Maya’s fear of commitment mirrors the film’s fear of showing us anything truly ugly or grappling with the idea that our heroine is one of many, many people who lost someone during a society-shattering number of years.
    — Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of shattering
Verb
  • One drone operator talks about going out for lunch or hanging out with their friends in Tel Aviv after demolishing people’s houses in Gaza from miles away.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
  • At Cordova Villa Elementary, construction includes demolishing the existing administration building and a classroom building.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of demolishing
Verb
  • Sonil Jain, Co-founder of Sowtex and ReMaterial, noted that for a fabric exporter trading with Russia, Brazil, or the UAE, there were many possible benefits, including cheaper, faster B2B settlements without dollar-clearing fees destroying margins.
    — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Some put the chance of AI destroying everyone, everywhere, all at once at around 50%.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of destroying
Verb
  • Of course, Preece’s move into the field meant bumping out another driver.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Bonhams is bumping its buyer’s premium up to 30 percent from 28 percent for bids of £25,000 ($33,700) or less.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of bumping
Adjective
  • The duo discussed various subjects, including Colbert’s work on an upcoming Lord of the Rings film in New Zealand and his impressive suit collection, which was gifted to him after the Late Show ended.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
  • But now, following Mahomes’ astonishingly rapid comeback, and the Chiefs’ equally impressive retooling on the fly, their quests have intensified again.
    — Mike Jones, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of impressive
Noun
  • One guy in cargo shorts and a battered Ramones T-shirt kept casting dirty looks at the sky, clearly annoyed at the thumping of the TV news helicopters — there were at least three overhead at all times — drowning out his commentary.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The Patriots went on to advance to the Super Bowl, where the Seahawks delivered a thumping.
    — Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of thumping

Browse Nearby Words

smashes
smashing
smashup
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Cite this Entry

“Smashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smashing. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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