smash

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: a smashing blow or attack
b
: a hard overhand stroke (as in tennis or badminton)
2
a
: the action or sound of smashing
especially : a wreck due to collision : crash
b
: utter collapse : ruin
3
: a striking success

smash

2 of 3

verb

smashed; smashing; smashes

transitive verb

1
: to break or crush by violence
2
a
: to drive or throw violently especially with a shattering or battering effect
also : to effect in this way
b
: to hit violently : batter
c(1)
: to hit (something, such as a tennis ball) with a hard overhand stroke
(2)
: to drive (a ball) with a forceful stroke
3
: to destroy utterly : wreck

intransitive verb

1
: to move or become propelled with violence or crashing effect
smashed into a tree
2
: to become wrecked
3
: to go to pieces suddenly under collision or pressure
smasher noun

smash

3 of 3

adjective

: being a smash : outstanding
a smash hit

Examples of smash in a Sentence

Noun The new movie is a smash. She was a smash at the party. His new song promises to be a smash hit. The vase fell to the ground with a loud smash. She hit an overhand smash that won the match. Verb He smashed the vase with a hammer. The ball smashed the window. The vase fell and smashed to pieces. He smashed into the wall. She smashed the ball deep into the opposite corner.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Osbourne, Morrison, and Stevens’s smash has now spent three frames on that ranking, where its ascent is much more dramatic. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025 An apartment in the real-life building prominently featured in both the acclaimed A24 film and HBO’s smash hit recently nabbed a buyer for $20.1 million. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
The robber smashes various display cases and loads jewelry into his backpack before running back to the car. Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025 Two Riverside officers have been charged after one smashed a resident’s skateboard in a viral video. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Just ask Cynthia Erivo, whose role as Elphaba in last year's smash Wicked required much more than movie magic to hit the high notes while also filming the difficult sequences that would soar onscreen. Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 20 Feb. 2025 This is a smash spot for one of the most dynamic running backs in the game. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for smash

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps blend of smack entry 4 and mash entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1725, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1764, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of smash was in 1725

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Cite this Entry

“Smash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smash. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

smash

1 of 2 verb
1
: to break into pieces by violence : shatter
2
: to drive, throw, or move violently especially with a destructive effect
3
: to destroy completely : wreck
4
: to go to pieces suddenly : collapse
smasher noun

smash

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: a heavy blow or attack
b
: a hard overhand stroke (as in tennis)
2
: the condition of being smashed
3
a
: the action or sound of smashing
especially : a wreck due to collision : crash
b
: complete collapse : ruin
especially : bankruptcy
4
: a striking success : hit
the new play is a smash

More from Merriam-Webster on smash

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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