1
as in breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
a crack-up required him to take a year off from work
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in collision
the violent coming together of two bodies into destructive contact
two people were injured in a serious crack-up on the interstate
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1
as in to praise
to declare enthusiastic approval of
that sports car isn't all it's cracked up to be
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2
as in to blow up
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively
the movie is being cracked up as the blockbuster of the summer
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3
as in to laugh
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
try not to crack up at your own punch lines—it's funnier if you keep a straight face
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of crack-up
Emily Tamkin, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2023
The movie tracks Carl’s descent, his crack-up, and his slow waking up to reality.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Apr. 2023
The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
What was supposed to be a heartwarming moment between siblings turned into a hilarious brotherly love moment that had all of J.J.’s CBS co-workers cracking up.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crack-up 
Noun
Despite their differences on policy, there is little reason to expect a crack-up between the Hungarian and American right in the near future.
—Emily Tamkin, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2023
The movie tracks Carl’s descent, his crack-up, and his slow waking up to reality.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Apr. 2023
Verb
Creation Lake is a raw, surprising reminder that cool isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.
—The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
What was supposed to be a heartwarming moment between siblings turned into a hilarious brotherly love moment that had all of J.J.’s CBS co-workers cracking up.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
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The breakdown is 110, 240 Cubans, 211,040 Haitians, 93,080 Nicaraguans and 117,320 Venezuelans.Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
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As a reminder of how this works, here is the breakdown of the first month of the season and here is last month’s analysis.James Mirtle, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Spoofing these systems to report incorrect location data could affect aircraft in flight—increasing the risk of collisions, forcing crews to execute additional maneuvers and generating false alarms.Eric Updyke, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
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Miraculously, only one member of the Hooligan Navy was killed while serving, during a collision with a Dutch freighter.David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The conversation between the three actresses then shifted to Shields' praising Swift for discussing body image and the pressure to look perfect during her 2020 documentary, Miss Americana.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
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Lions players consistently praise his ability to be direct and demanding while also creating positive energy.Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Ever have a conversation with a colleague that blows up?Anne Sugar, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
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What of Norman Powell, who is blowing up with a career year of his own at 31?John Hollinger, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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That shared experience of laughing together helps both of us find relaxation.Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
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Others immediately call their sisters, leaving the girls—and TikTok audiences—laughing.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Herald’s investigation also revealed the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state agency that investigated the crash, early on ruled out alcohol as a factor in the accident.Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
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In May 2023, 26-year-old deputy Brett Harris died a week after being critically injured in a car crash in San Jacinto.Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Kotb and her colleagues applauded when the song finished, with Kotb thanking Kermit at its conclusion.Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 10 Jan. 2025
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Others applauded Kris and James Armstrong’s selflessness in light of such sudden challenges.Susan Young, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Beginning in 1992, the Ontological-Hysteric occupied an upper chamber of the beautiful St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery, and Foreman advertised his yearly shows there with blizzards of black-and-white posters, which were wheat-pasted all over the Village every winter.Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2025
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Sometimes, synthetic identities are advertised as ways in which someone can rebuild their credit by paying just a few hundred dollars.Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near crack-up
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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