crush 1 of 2

1
as in to mash
to cause to become a pulpy mass dark-colored grapes that will be crushed to make red wine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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5
as in to squeeze
to apply external pressure on so as to force out the juice or contents of after crushing the grapes, let the skins soak in the juice in order to extract some color

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
as in to cram
to fit (people or things) into a tight space the desperate refugees were crushed into the back of the truck

Synonyms & Similar Words

7

crush

2 of 2

noun

1
as in passion
a strong but often short-lived liking for another person fondly remembers the crush that she had on a boy one summer long ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

2

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun crush differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crush are crowd, horde, mob, and throng. While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort.

a crush of fans

When might crowd be a better fit than crush?

While the synonyms crowd and crush are close in meaning, crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together.

a crowd gathered

When is mob a more appropriate choice than crush?

The words mob and crush can be used in similar contexts, but mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence.

an angry mob

How do throng and horde relate to one another, in the sense of crush?

Both throng and horde suggest movement and pushing.

a throng of reporters
a horde of shoppers

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 crush
Verb
The recent fires in Los Angeles decimated entire neighborhoods and business districts; wiped out history; crushed open spaces and disrupted the patterns of life in the city. Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2025 Last month, the Eagles set a new record for the most points ever scored during an NFC championship game, crushing the Washington Commanders 55-23. Miguel Perez, NPR, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
The crush at the Maha Kumbh Mela in the city of Prayagraj occurred after a barrier broke, according to Akanksha Rana, special executive officer for the festival. Manveena Suri, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025 Making grade-school crushes in Create a Sim so we could get married, trapping my high school enemies in the pool, and building my dream home while interior decorating my existing one. Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 1 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for crush 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crush
Verb
  • But artificial intelligence and new technology could soon make the chain gang obsolete, with an advanced system known as Hawk-Eye aspiring to make the game faster and more accurate by mashing together high-tech software with a lot of cameras.
    Brian Cheung, NBC News, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Its politics were also more oblique, less recognizably ideological, and seemingly more interested in mashing together messy ideas and messy people.
    Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • It's even recently been associated with quelling aggression.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Stocks bounced back a bit around mid-week after Microsoft and Facebook parent Meta reiterated their AI spending goals, quelling fears companies would pull back AI dollars.
    Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Jordan Feed Mill has recently won a certificate from the Ralston Purina Company for the accuracy and uniformity of its custom grinding service.
    Bernice Hoffman, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The Avs weathered a grinding opening period to pull away for a 2-0 victory over the Flyers at Ball Arena.
    Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 2 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • For example, an American Iron Dome, if proven successful, could be seen as a threat by some and result in an arms race to overwhelm it.
    David Szondy, New Atlas, 6 Feb. 2025
  • Instead, Stephen Miller, the deputy White House chief of staff for policy, has taken the lead in the approach to overwhelm the opposition while moving quickly on the president's agenda.
    Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The guidance drops have stirred concerns among investors that EA can continue to squeeze growth from its tentpole FC soccer franchise in particular, which accounts for a big slice of its operating revenues.
    Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Why Juicing Might Not Benefit the Microbiome The process of squeezing liquid from fruits and veggies, casting off its pulp, leaves one critical nutrient on the table (or, rather, in the blender): fiber.
    Sarah Garone, Health, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The committee vote, which was held this morning in a room crammed to capacity with what appeared to be roughly equal numbers of Kennedy’s skeptics and devotees, certainly fit with the behavior of a compliant GOP.
    Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025
  • The animation, too, is consistently delightful, densely crammed with visual gags and imaginative flourishes, like a gang of marauding buildings, that well merit the film being seen on the big screen.
    Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Indeed, 10 minutes later Vasyl receives an order to deploy urgently to an infantry post, and hugs his surprised comrades goodbye.
    Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Once, Lily came downstairs and hugged her father — but had an ulterior motive.
    Jackie Tempera, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Get unlimited access to journalism that fuels your curiosity, passion and ambition.
    Forbes, Forbes, 8 Feb. 2025
  • As someone who's held the same job since his early years after graduating from college, settled down in Kansas City and built a family with his wife Cam and their three children, Meers' passion for the quirky, yet iconic gig is obvious.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near crush

Cite this Entry

“Crush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crush. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

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