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
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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
Bradford Betz , Greg Norman , Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Cops said Ollinger admitted to placing Kelly in a chokehold on Kelly’s bed, then smashing his face into a post, TMZ reported.
—Joseph Wilkinson, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 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
Another witness speaking to BFMTV described people smashing windows to escape the blaze, some gravely injured, and panicked parents rushing to the scene in cars to see whether their children were trapped inside.
—Bradford Betz , Greg Norman , Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Cops said Ollinger admitted to placing Kelly in a chokehold on Kelly’s bed, then smashing his face into a post, TMZ reported.
—Joseph Wilkinson, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 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
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The brand’s range features cultural designs made using a mix of traditional Chinese techniques, including hammering, carving, hollowing, filigree, embedding, and heat treatment of enamels.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
14 Nov. 2025
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The sound of hammering came from outside in the driveway, where some men were building a coffin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Yet for all of Malinin’s athleticism and his Beamonesque ability to take flight what has been most telling in what has already been a world record-shattering Olympic season has been the maturity of his skating, the willingness to take emotional risks in his programs.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
6 Jan. 2026
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Bana and Rocha were among the 615 participants in the 27th annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge on Thursday at the Waukegan Municipal Beach, shattering the record of 540 set in 2024, and collectively raising more than $20,000 for Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
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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Bolstering that pair — or, even better, the second pair, and bumping down rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka to the third — would go a long way toward solidifying the blue line.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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The notice also says the positions involved aren’t tied to a union, so bumping rights don’t apply.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This impressive deal only applies to the six-piece set, which includes five compression packing cubes and one drawstring bag in select colors.—
Emily Belfiore,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
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Joseph’s most recent work in Denver, however, happens to be some of the most impressive as the unit ranked second in total defense, third in scoring and in the top-ten against both the run and pass.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Florida went on an 11-point run in the first half, just for UConn to end the half on a 28-14 thumping.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
10 Dec. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Smashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smashing. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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