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
Examples 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 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
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 12 Oct. 2024
Another video from the same day shows the family of three cracking up together in the pool.
—Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024
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
Lamorne cracked up at the suggestion, then quietly orchestrated a face-to-face.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 12 Oct. 2024
Another video from the same day shows the family of three cracking up together in the pool.
—Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
Here's the breakdown When is the McRib making its Michigan return?Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
-
Here's a county-by-county breakdown of how the 2024 foliage is predicted to change across the U.S.: Best month for fall foliage in 2024 Why do leaves change color?Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
The woman’s death is the 12th fatal traffic collision in Fremont this year, police said.Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
-
It was recorded that for the 2012 election there were 138 fatal motor vehicle collisions, in 2016, there were 150 and in 2020, there were 173.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Kentucky residents react to streaming issues on Netflix during Tyson-Paul fight Kentucky residents sounded off on social media about the fight, some complaining of the glitchy experience while others praised Tyson for lasting eight rounds before ultimately losing to Paul.John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024
-
Keke Palmer has a few great impressions in her repertoire, and can now add Nicki Minaj to the list, as the actress is being praised for her subtle impersonation of the rap star during her visit to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
High wind gusts seen throughout the morning are expected to continue, with some topping 30-40 mph, which can lower visibility from blowing up snow.Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
-
But as the episode closes out with the child-rescue mission literally blowing up in her face, things look bleak for Joe and her future out of the gray zone.Andy Andersen, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Allison lies on the floor laughing in shame, but luckily Noel comes to give her a snuggle and some encouragement.Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
-
The morning the race was called, Hunter texted a few friends to make plans to get together and commiserate, cry, laugh.Allie Volpe, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
At least two-thirds of crash victims were pedestrians, bicyclists, or occupants of cars turning left at intersections without traffic signals.David Zipper, Vox, 13 Nov. 2024
-
The lack of regulation may help explain why the state has the nation’s lowest autopsy rate in child deaths attributed to unnatural or unknown causes — a category that includes suicides, homicides, crashes, drownings, overdoses and sudden infant deaths.Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Lawyers representing the plaintiffs applauded the judge's decision.Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
-
Johnson applauds Harris' commitment to hire 14,000 behavioral health care workers in U.S. schools and warns of Trump's statements on withholding federal funding to schools that teach about the history of slavery.Monica Eng, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
But not all of that salmon is as advertised, according to new research.Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024
-
The Republic found numerous posts on Snapchat, Instagram and other social media sites advertising big paydays for drivers in Arizona border towns, including Bisbee, Sierra Vista and Douglas.Jason Wolf, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near crack-up
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share