1
as in breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
a crack-up required him to take a year off from work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 crack-up
Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Because even the most powerful companies are just participants in a broader world, and if the rage of those who are sacrificed to feed the bottom line wrecks that broader world, well, then a crack-up is coming.
—airmail.news, 25 Jan. 2025
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
Those bloopers The special ended with a gag reel featuring a couple of scenes where Romano keeps coming up with a different punchline in every take, often prompting his screen partner to crack up.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Noun
Despite the book’s title, Buchanan had some hope for the West (in his us-and-them sense of the term) and was confident in globalism’s impending crack-up.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Because even the most powerful companies are just participants in a broader world, and if the rage of those who are sacrificed to feed the bottom line wrecks that broader world, well, then a crack-up is coming.
—airmail.news, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
Winner This week's winner left us cracking up with his acting skills.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
Those bloopers The special ended with a gag reel featuring a couple of scenes where Romano keeps coming up with a different punchline in every take, often prompting his screen partner to crack up.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
Although extremely rare, a condition called rhabdomyolysis can occur when your kidneys are overwhelmed with particles from muscle breakdown and can cause permanent kidney damage.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
26 Mar. 2026
-
As rising global temperatures threaten the polar ice floes, loud and previously-unknown sounds from the breakdown of ice are becoming more frequent, impacting polar ecosystems.—
Andrew Coletti,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And in 2009, collision between a plane and a tourist helicopter over the Hudson killed nine people.—
JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Authorities later said Davide Veglia, 55, of North Miami died after the collision Wednesday night in Biscayne Bay, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chief of Police Christopher Cook praised the collaborative effort and said the case required extensive investigation, strong partnerships and quick work by the department's investigative team.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Quercus in Gay, Georgia, was awarded Best New Hotel Design 2026 by Tablet Hotels, praised for its distinctive blend of regenerative farming and 3,800 acres of forest and pasture.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
From crowd favorite cinnamon rolls and biscuits and gravy, it may have been blown up for its shrine of 1950s nostalgia, but customers stay for the consistently good southern food.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
-
What about destroying the stockpile by blowing up the canisters?—
Sheena Samu,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some celebrities have gotten mad at him about the interactions, and some of them laugh about it with him.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Jamaica born About a hundred people gathered to lay Wilson to rest, singing, crying and laughing while remembering his kind heart, his hard work and his famous barbecue ribs and chicken wings.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Colorado State Patrol is launching a new awareness campaign in April, highlighting common causes of crashes due to distracted driving.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
According to the Board of Estimates agenda, Fletcher was injured in the crash as well.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The decision infuriated local opponents, who have applauded selectmen’s decision in mid-March to authorize legal action to try to reverse the vote.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Riders cheered and applauded when the first train left the station.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hundreds of posts from angry attendees flooded social media sites this weekend, many of whom said the event was a far cry from what was advertised.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
An Ace Hardware in Titusville featured a photo of the astronaut crew on its sign, advertising that the store carries all supplies needed for launch-viewing.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
