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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Below is the full breakdown for how to get Selena Gomez’s Oscars nails at home.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
3 Mar. 2025
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Here’s the full breakdown: Neon – 5 A24 – 3 Netflix – 3 Universal – 2 Warner Bros. – 2 Disney’s Searchlight Pictures – 1 Universal’s Focus – 1 Mubi – 1 Sideshow/Janus – 1 See all the Oscar winners here and the red carpet looks here for the 97th Academy Awards.—
Aaron Couch,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 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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The comedian, who co-starred in Next Friday and Friday After Next, went on to praise Cube for putting people on.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
4 Mar. 2025
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The gist: five previous winners of each category — Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress — are brought on stage to present and praise the nominees and announce the winner.—
Alex Abad-Santos,
Vox,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The song has made its way onto the Rain Man and Hangover soundtracks, been covered by the Grateful Dead, and was recently revived (or destroyed) with a rendition that blew up on TikTok.—
Harriet Shepherd,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2025
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The Origins of Matcha While matcha may have blown up on social media this year, this drink actually dates back to the Tang Dynasty in China and was brought over to Japan by a Buddhist monk over 900 years ago.—
Lauryn Jiles,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Vivienne appeared to be having fun with her friend, as she was pictured laughing and sticking her tongue out.—
Effie Orfanides,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
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Surrounding the headliners are grumpy arena security, who spend the night wearing baffled expressions watching a sea of adults cheer and laugh and applaud over imaginary characters engaged in battles no one can actually see, and rolls of acrylic dice just 16 millimeters in size.—
Eric Francisco,
Rolling Stone,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Here’s what experts say The plane was scheduled to depart from Lancaster Airport, just north of the crash site and was headed toward Springfield, Ohio, according to FlightAware.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN,
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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This is the other cost-cutting tip – there were only two – that consumers applauded, on balance, in the Wells Fargo survey.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
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Pritzker applauded Illinois student test scores in reading and math.—
Willie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 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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On Monday morning, signs began springing up outside participating delis advertising the fake egg options, like a bacon, egg and cheese.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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