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
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Recent Examples of crack-up
Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
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
Sam Woodward, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Padilla and Gosling were a teacher and principal in another sketch reading passed notes out loud that, according to text on screen, were swapped out since rehearsal, causing both to crack up uncontrollably.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Noun
For job seekers and their families and friends, navigating this white collar crack-up can no longer mean looking to the federal or state government for a new government program, department, or benefit.
—Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
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
Verb
Is tofu all it's cracked up to be?
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Padilla and Gosling were a teacher and principal in another sketch reading passed notes out loud that, according to text on screen, were swapped out since rehearsal, causing both to crack up uncontrollably.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
When comparing the age breakdown of Congress to the rest of the American workforce, there's a sizable gap.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
7 May 2026
-
Although the practice is still in the theoretical research stage, scientists have spent two decades studying the chemical compounds associated with the breakdown of the human body.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
In court Friday, Kazarian said her client suffered from an undiagnosed neurological disorder and may have experienced a seizure at the time of the collision.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
In reality, collisions in space are extremely rare but incredibly dangerous.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Getz’s peers have taken notice and have called to praise him for signing Murakami.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Those kind of plays have the Wild coaches praising Hartman for his maturity, in not taking the bait and retaliating with an act that might mean another lengthy suspension.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The grandeur of fantasy at our fingertips, Mario’s essence blown up to galactic proportions, has yet to be rivaled.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
9 May 2026
-
Even before social media blew up, Dessen was hesitant to date her books with references to phones or slang.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes laughing is better than crying.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
There wasn’t anyone that Anny Cho knew who lived and laughed as hard, who wanted to experience every minute of every day as much as her older brother.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The dot-com crash was disastrous for the company and Turner, the largest individual shareholder in the combined company.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Those incidents surfaced more than a year after Devin Willock and recruiting staff member Chandler LeCroy were killed in a car crash in 2023.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The opening up of the submission process for the category has been largely applauded by the international film community, especially dissident filmmakers at odds with their governments who never stood a stand chance of representing their countries.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
-
His work ethic is often applauded by his teammates and coaches.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Howe has taken a leadership role in the industry on responsible gaming, refusing to advertise in college stadiums or do name, image and likeness, or NIL, deals with college athletes.—
Contessa Brewer,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
-
The lawsuit alleged that Apple falsely advertised AI enhancements to its iPhone 16, which was announced in September 2024.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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