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
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
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
The comic had plenty of movie-specific one-liners that cracked up the audience of Hollywood A-listers.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 2 Mar. 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
Remember, 6-seed Clemson dominated 11-seed New Mexico a year ago as a 2.5-point 'dog to show that sometimes these dangerous mid-majors aren't quite all they're cracked up to be.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
The comic had plenty of movie-specific one-liners that cracked up the audience of Hollywood A-listers.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
Finally, protein intake helps prevent muscle breakdown, especially when working out intensely or going through a period of calorie restriction for any reason.—
Lauren Panoff, MPH, RD,
Verywell Health,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Scroll down to check out the full stage and set time breakdown.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Purdue University’s official mascot, the Purdue Boilermaker Special, was involved in a fatal collision on the afternoon of April 24, the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office said.—
Ron Wilkins,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
The Slate Truck will also aim for a 5-star crash rating, according to a company spokesperson, and will feature active emergency braking, forward collision warning, and as many as eight airbags.—
Abigail Bassett,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
During his papacy, he was both praised and criticized for commenting on political issues, from immigration to LGBTQ issues.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Trump praised the pope at the start of Francis's papacy, in 2013, several years before Trump reached the White House.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
However, because of the way the sport has blown up, most cruises these days offer pickleball, including Norwegian’s newest ships, which have an indoor, caged-in set-up for the sport.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2025
-
It’s been there for me since the beginning, before the café scene really blew up in Phuket Town.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
By singing, dancing, and laughing as our unapologetic trans selves.—
James Factora,
Them.,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The moment lit up social media with attendees posting clips of the cheering, laughing crowd.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, the charges stem from a crash and multiple near-misses on May 17, 2024, as state police had I-291 shut down in the area of Interstate 91 in connection with an unspecified investigation.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2025
-
There has been a crash on I-35 from I-29/US-71/Exit 8 to MO-1/Antioch Road/Exit 8.—
Kansas City Star Bot,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
On the touchline, meanwhile, Guardiola was extremely animated, pleading with his fans to have patience and applauding Ake’s more conservative decision.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
-
After Fitzgerald’s death, a wave of eulogies applauded the author, and at least a couple of them hailed his Jazz Age novel as a classic.—
Alexander Manshel,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The commodity was found to be defective, perhaps falsely advertised, but not eligible for return.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
-
WrestleMania Sunday also advertised Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky in a Triple Threat for the Women’s World Championship, a Fatal 4-Way for the WWE Intercontinental Championship and Logan Paul vs. AJ Styles.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share