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
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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
David M. Drucker,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
By the end of 1857, no one knew the crack-up of the Union was coming in three years, or that the nation would be in a civil war in four, but the portents were bleak.
—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Sunny got her famous father to crack up during her cameo on a Brooklyn, New York, taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Noun
The Republican crack-up is coming — not over the Iran war and not today.
—
David M. Drucker,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
By the end of 1857, no one knew the crack-up of the Union was coming in three years, or that the nation would be in a civil war in four, but the portents were bleak.
—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
Wondering if the talk about using eggshells in your garden is all it's cracked up to be?
—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Sunny got her famous father to crack up during her cameo on a Brooklyn, New York, taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
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Janet, meanwhile, is having the kind of emotional breakdown that necessitates producer intervention.
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To help identify which aspects to comment on, Ginexi provides a helpful breakdown of the different sections of the OMB’s proposal.
Noun
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Leaving the scene of a property-damage collision can result in misdemeanor charges, fines and other penalties.
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Under California’s vehicle code, hit-and-run collisions that lead to property damage but no injuries are classified as misdemeanors.
Verb
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Leaders from India’s ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have publicly praised bhajan clubbing gatherings.
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Magazine, praising Swift's ability to handle intense public scrutiny.
Verb
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He’s been known to blow up legislation, make surprise nominations, rage-post about sitting Republican lawmakers and retaliate by endorsing their primary opponents.
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An Elk Grove man accused of threatening to blow up buildings in Sacramento over the Fourth of July holiday was set to appear in federal court Thursday to face a bomb threat charge.
Verb
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Swift shared a glimpse of the fun on Instagram by posting some Polaroids of them laughing, hugging and enjoying red, white and blue Popsicles.
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England would be a laughing stock (and already home) without him.
Noun
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The military declared McKinney dead in March 1946, though no crash site had been identified, let alone any remains of the man from Providence, Rhode Island.
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The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said it was not notified of the crash, according to local reports.
Verb
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As Guo left the courtroom after the sentencing, supporters applauded and shouted toward him.
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Comedian and political satirist Bill Maher, center left, applauds for John Mellencamp during the 27th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor Celebrating Bill Maher.
Verb
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An expired job ad for an experienced English interpreter at the UN advertised a salary range between $131,084 and $171,644.
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The report alleges that Freedom 250 was advertised as an addition to America250 rather than as its replacement, creating confusion.
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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