CRUSH Synonyms: 204 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

crush 1 of 2

verb

ˈkrəsh

Definition of crush next

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

Relevance

as in to quell

to put a stop to (something) by the use of force the government is doing everything to crush the latest guerrilla uprising

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to grind

to reduce to fine particles crushed the baby's medicine tablet and mixed it with applesauce

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as in to overwhelm

to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress the terrible news of her death simply crushed the entire family

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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

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as in to cram

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

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as in to hug

to put one's arms around and press tightly she tearfully crushed the child to her breast

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crush

2 of 2

noun

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

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as in swarm

a great number of persons or creatures massed together the huge crush in the store must have far exceeded safety limits

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 bones of her refuge lay crushed and stacked and still flickering with flames. —

Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025 Ravens at home crushed Bills 35-10 on a Sunday night in late September, with Henry pounding for 199 yards. —

Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025

Noun

Against Cece’s wishes, Devin goes in, flashlight in hand, to take a few pics and (of course) impress his crush, Frankie. —

Nick Caruso, TVLine, 11 Jan. 2025 Anchored by Hailee Steinfeld’s charmingly sly title performance, the series cleverly enmeshes Dickinson’s indelible poetry with everyday frustrations (parents, crushes), world-historical occasions (the Civil War) and thoroughly modern slang. —

Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for crush

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crush

Verb

Then remove a cup or two of the beans to mash and return to the pot to serve with cornbread.

— Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2025
The Pitt is a new Max Original that takes the format of two popular legacy series—ER and 24—and mashes them together.

— Erik Kain, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025