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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And in the House, with a likely 219-215 party breakdown, Republicans will also have little room for error — especially during the beginning of Trump's term, when three seats will be vacated by lawmakers leaving to serve in the executive branch.Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2025
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Sugar Bowl Prop Bets Other New Year’s Day betting breakdowns included Ohio State-Oregon in the Rose Bowl.Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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In October, the NHTSA opened an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD) software after four collisions were reported, including a fatal 2023 crash.Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In a call on New Year's Day, Trump praised Roy's work in the House but encouraged him to support Johnson, who was also on the call along with Vice President-elect JD Vance.Lauren Peller, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2025
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History textbooks have been rewritten to include more Hindu-nationalist figures, praise Modi’s own initiatives, and minimize contributions by Indian Muslims.Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Baltic pipeline was blown up in an act of sabotage, but details of the attack remain murky.Hanna Arhirova and Joanna Kozlowska, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
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Even when he’s blown up at every spot, he’s maintained himself.Christopher Kamrani, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
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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Vinicius Jr laughed from the sidelines as assistant Francesco Mauri took him away from the melee.Guillermo Rai, The Athletic, 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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The Chiefs looked out of sorts and part of that can be attributed to the car crash involving Britt Reid, who was a Chiefs assistant at the time, just days before the game.Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 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 17 Jan. 2025.
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