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
show current usage.
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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
Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
The audience is too, repeatedly cracking up during a 25th anniversary screening and reunion Q&A at the Tribeca Festival Saturday.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 June 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
Even Justin Rose, their playing partner, cracked up.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
The audience is too, repeatedly cracking up during a 25th anniversary screening and reunion Q&A at the Tribeca Festival Saturday.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
According to the findings, the top metro areas Hoosiers move to include these cities, which are sorted alphabetically: Chicago, IL Cincinnati, OH Cleveland, OH Columbus, OH Detroit, MI Nashville, KY St. Louis, MO Here's a quick breakdown of each city and where Indiana ranks.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
25 July 2025
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Otherwise, follow along for a full breakdown of Maye’s day and his leading receivers through two practices at training camp.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
The maximum altitude for the route the helicopter was taking was 200 ft, but the collision occurred at an altitude of around 300 ft.—
David Shepardson,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
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Twenty-eight-year-old Sam Lilley died in January’s midair collision, the deadliest plane crash in the US in 24 years.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Wiegman generally hates talking about individual players, but goes out of her way to praise Bronze’s competitive spirit.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
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Vazquez went on to praise both the show’s current — and former — hosts.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
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In doing so, Trump has blown up any talk about a post-American era.—
Hal Brands,
Twin Cities,
13 July 2025
-
With the reciprocal tariffs, Trump is effectively blowing up the rules governing world trade.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
Hayward then screamed and laughed after some water went into her mouth.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
23 July 2025
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In addition, footage from a 1999 Victoria’s Secret fashion event in New York shows Trump and Epstein laughing and chatting together ahead of the runway event.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
23 July 2025
Noun
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The crash of the aircraft, priced at about $100 million, was the second this year.—
Anna Commander
Robert Birsel
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
-
Slaughter and the four people inside the Nissan were taken from the crash scene to Broward Health Medical Center.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
31 July 2025
Verb
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The fact that Arab countries are unified on that, and the measured approach taken by Arab and European countries should be applauded, not dismissed.—
Faisal J. Abbas,
semafor.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Harvard graduate students applaud during the 374th Harvard Commencement in Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 29, 2025.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Mozeliak, with input from incoming successor Chaim Bloom, opted for the best overall talent in returns for his top three relievers — a clear sign that the bridge year will span much longer than first advertised.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
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Contrary to Miller’s predicate, deportable immigrants do not advertise their deportability.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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