1
as in breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
a crack-up required him to take a year off from work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to praise
to declare enthusiastic approval of
that sports car isn't all it's cracked up to be
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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
John Russell, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
The story of Dieter that so cracks up Helena could also be interpreted as something about the pointlessness of trying to coexist with nature, when man is meant to conquer it.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025
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
The characters’ awkward and absurd interactions were so funny, none of the four actors could help cracking up.
—John Russell, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
The story of Dieter that so cracks up Helena could also be interpreted as something about the pointlessness of trying to coexist with nature, when man is meant to conquer it.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
Read the rest of his game-by-game bracket breakdown here.—
Joe Kozlowski,
Newsweek,
16 Mar. 2025
-
This detailed breakdown explains the process of a change-of-address scam, from initial targeting to the potential consequences and warning signs to watch for.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Based on analysis of satellite measurements, the collision deformed sedimentary and volcanic rock layers as far as 6.2 miles to the north and south of the impact crater, while leaving the east and west relatively unscathed.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
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Baltimore's bridge was also built before 1994, when new bridges were required to be constructed to minimize the risk of a catastrophic collapse from a collision, according to the NTSB.—
Doha Madani,
NBC News,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Goswami praised her collaborators but also thanked the AFA academy — and herself.—
Patrick Brzeski,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Mar. 2025
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On the first day of two historically peak spring-break weekends, crowds were minuscule and families praised the quiet streets.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In blowing up the drone factories, ironically with drones, the Ukrainian intelligence agency hopes to throttle Russian production—and ensure that most of the tiny UAVs buzzing over the front line ... are Ukrainian. Follow me on Twitter.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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While this theory hasn’t been proven or debunked, the trend has blown up on social media, with the hashtag on TikTok resulting in 628,000 posts.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Bean could be heard laughing at him from inside the classroom, the affidavits state.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Mar. 2025
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With plummeting stocks, recalls and vandalism on his plate at Tesla, Elon Musk is not laughing.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Thursday’s episode comes after a series of incidents in recent weeks, including near misses, crash landings and accidents, including the fatal collision of an American Airlines plane and a US Army helicopter in Washington, DC.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN,
21 Mar. 2025
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Texas 121 is closed Friday morning at Stone Myers Parkway after a crash that killed one person and injured another, Grapevine police said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Get The Recipe Cheeseburger Sliders Bring out the tray of sliders and the entire party will applaud.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
22 Mar. 2025
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Hundreds of social media users have commented on TikTok to applaud Wheels and praise Santos for giving him a second chance at life.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The transcript was, as advertised, almost completely accurate.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
17 Mar. 2025
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The bill also would require reports on the 340B money and forbid hospitals from using the remaining 5% to compensate the hospital’s board of directors, pay fines, advertise the hospital or lobby lawmakers, among other restrictions.—
Meg Wingerter,
The Denver Post,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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