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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crack-up
Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Because even the most powerful companies are just participants in a broader world, and if the rage of those who are sacrificed to feed the bottom line wrecks that broader world, well, then a crack-up is coming.
—airmail.news, 25 Jan. 2025
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
Those bloopers The special ended with a gag reel featuring a couple of scenes where Romano keeps coming up with a different punchline in every take, often prompting his screen partner to crack up.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Noun
Despite the book’s title, Buchanan had some hope for the West (in his us-and-them sense of the term) and was confident in globalism’s impending crack-up.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Because even the most powerful companies are just participants in a broader world, and if the rage of those who are sacrificed to feed the bottom line wrecks that broader world, well, then a crack-up is coming.
—airmail.news, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
Winner This week's winner left us cracking up with his acting skills.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
Those bloopers The special ended with a gag reel featuring a couple of scenes where Romano keeps coming up with a different punchline in every take, often prompting his screen partner to crack up.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
Clicking into the title will give you even more information, including a blurb about what parents need to know, a breakdown of potential concerns and positive qualities about the book, and reviews from kids.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Microplastics are tiny and sometimes invisible shreds of plastic that can be produced by the breakdown of plastic, the shedding of clothing fibers, manufacturing processes, and more.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After the first collision, Beavers' truck continued north, rolled onto its left side, and hit the sound barrier wall on the right shoulder.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Although embedded in spectacle culture, these events occasionally presented the possibility of truly poetic clashes between languages and artistic traditions—what Glissant calls an éclat, collisions that create sparks of novelty.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Dewitt also praised JaCorey Stewart’s speed.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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Then praised Illini Nation for its support.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One of those blew up on its landing attempt while another was purposefully expended to get its payload to a higher orbital insertion.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
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Tatum had scored 42 points on this night, but the Knicks had blown up another double-digit Boston lead and now, in a blink, Tatum was gone.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
New rom-com 'The Drama' is no laughing matterNeed a news break?—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Then last Tuesday in the Brewers-Rays game, Bucknor blew a call at first base that was so obviously wrong, both managers could be seen laughing at the replay on the scoreboard.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Colorado State Patrol is launching a new awareness campaign in April, highlighting common causes of crashes due to distracted driving.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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According to the Board of Estimates agenda, Fletcher was injured in the crash as well.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The decision infuriated local opponents, who have applauded selectmen’s decision in mid-March to authorize legal action to try to reverse the vote.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Riders cheered and applauded when the first train left the station.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hundreds of posts from angry attendees flooded social media sites this weekend, many of whom said the event was a far cry from what was advertised.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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An Ace Hardware in Titusville featured a photo of the astronaut crew on its sign, advertising that the store carries all supplies needed for launch-viewing.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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