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
Although, the late night adventure came with a damning condition that would crush the dreams of almost every kid. Joshua Lamb, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025 The victory avenges a crushing semifinal loss to Dover-Sherborn in the Div. 4 state semifinals last year, something that weighed on the team and propelled them through this year’s tournament. Marcello Rossetti, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
Or a crush of screaming fans, singing and dancing in unison at a Taylor Swift or K-pop concert. Michael Elliott, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025 In this 2003 adventure, Frankie Muniz plays Cody Banks, who enrolls in a special CIA program and is sent on a special mission—all while trying to juggle his schoolwork and impress his crush, Natalie, played by Hilary Duff. Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crush
Verb
  • Japanese potato salad’s most important and unique distinction is its texture: The potatoes are mashed, so that the salad is almost creamy (and the potatoes and dressing almost meld), studded with the crunch of fresh or pickled vegetables.
    Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Pani puri consists of small hollow spheres made with either wheat or semolina flour and filled with curry-spiced chickpeas and potatoes, which are often mashed into a chunky paste.
    Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But that didn't quell a web of alternative theories over the decades.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Authorities placed a ban on public demonstrations for four days in an attempt to quell any growing backlash to the arrests.
    Chris Massaro, Fox News, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • These mental health conditions can lead to bruxism (teeth grinding), which can affect the tongue.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The Houthis have choked off shipping in one of the most important Waterways of the World, grinding vast swaths of Global Commerce to a halt, and attacking the core principle of Freedom of Navigation upon which International Trade and Commerce depends.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Flashback: Hospitals in NWA, like much of the country, were overwhelmed by the number of COVID-19 patients and struggled with staffing.
    Alex Golden, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
  • However, Conquest overwhelms her, cleaves her jaw off and punches a hole through her stomach in mere seconds.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • This 2019 retread attempts to squeeze that same emotional response out of viewers, simply by recreating every frame through photorealistic CGI.
    Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • But skyrocketing home prices and stubbornly high mortgage rates in the past few years have squeezed many buyers to the sidelines of the market, raising concerns that this year will see a nationwide drop in sales even during the spring homebuying season.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Mooney recounted that she was shackled, slept on a mat with only a foil blanket, and endured a 24-hour transport ordeal crammed with 30 other women.
    Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Welcome back, welcome home Hundreds of fans decked out in Dodger blue crammed into Tokyo Haneda Airport’s arrival hall dreaming of pointing at and snapping a photo of the team or their favorite player.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The athlete could also be seen hugging his two sons and walking with an arm around his daughter, with the three siblings later posing with their family in a group shot.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • After the buzzer sounded, Pope ran over to hug his wife, Lee Anne, and kissed his daughters near the bench before running off to a TV interview.
    Jesse Temple, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Kicking has turned into his new passion over the last few years.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Our Pause for Purpose curriculum is one example of an intentional step toward making a career change or pivot with passion and purpose.
    Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crush. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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