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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
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Read the rest of his game-by-game bracket breakdown here.—
Joe Kozlowski,
Newsweek,
16 Mar. 2025
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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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Sheriff’s deputies are searching for a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run collision that seriously injured a motorcyclist Saturday night.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
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The researchers estimate the space rock responsible for the crater was traveling at 36,000 kilometers per hour, with the collision scattering debris across the planet.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
7 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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Multiple customers have praised the bag’s capacity in their reviews.—
Taylor Jean Stephan,
People.com,
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
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Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer famously laughing it off as wildly expensive at $500.—
Bloomberg,
The Mercury News,
13 Mar. 2025
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People can be heard laughing in the background of the video as the photographer is captured standing across the street with her camera pointed to the glass window.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Serious injuries were sustained and at least one person was transported to the hospital following a car versus pedestrian crash on Route 8 Southbound on Sunday morning, according to Connecticut State Police.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2025
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Car safety is one glaring example that Perez uncovered: During a car crash women are 47% more likely to be seriously injured than men and 17% more likely to die, even when researchers control for factors such as height, weight, seat-belt usage, and crash intensity.—
Esther K. Choy,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Advocates for a death-row inmate in Louisiana have applauded a federal judge's decision to halt his execution using nitrogen gas.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
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If this movie plays some small part in destigmatizing middle-aged female sexuality, that’s worth applauding.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Just to give one small example: early on in the movie Bernice, who spends most of the story bedridden watching shopping channels, spots a hideous piece of clothing being advertised on television.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
10 Mar. 2025
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Scammers often advertise fake jobs online, in ads, on job sites, and on social media.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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