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
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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
John Russell, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
The story of Dieter that so cracks up Helena could also be interpreted as something about the pointlessness of trying to coexist with nature, when man is meant to conquer it.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 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
The characters’ awkward and absurd interactions were so funny, none of the four actors could help cracking up.
—John Russell, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
The story of Dieter that so cracks up Helena could also be interpreted as something about the pointlessness of trying to coexist with nature, when man is meant to conquer it.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
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Below is the full breakdown for how to get Selena Gomez’s Oscars nails at home.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
3 Mar. 2025
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Here is a full breakdown of the Cognizant Classic payout.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Sheriff’s deputies are searching for a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run collision that seriously injured a motorcyclist Saturday night.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
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The researchers estimate the space rock responsible for the crater was traveling at 36,000 kilometers per hour, with the collision scattering debris across the planet.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The comedian, who co-starred in Next Friday and Friday After Next, went on to praise Cube for putting people on.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
4 Mar. 2025
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Vionic Uptown Loafers Shoppers can’t stop praising how the Uptown Loafers don’t need breaking in even during trips that require a lot of walking.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The song has made its way onto the Rain Man and Hangover soundtracks, been covered by the Grateful Dead, and was recently revived (or destroyed) with a rendition that blew up on TikTok.—
Harriet Shepherd,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2025
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The Origins of Matcha While matcha may have blown up on social media this year, this drink actually dates back to the Tang Dynasty in China and was brought over to Japan by a Buddhist monk over 900 years ago.—
Lauryn Jiles,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While Kassidy’s father needed a moment to take it all in, her mother had more of an immediate reaction – one that had the family laughing.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
1 Mar. 2025
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Vivienne appeared to be having fun with her friend, as she was pictured laughing and sticking her tongue out.—
Effie Orfanides,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Here’s what experts say The plane was scheduled to depart from Lancaster Airport, just north of the crash site and was headed toward Springfield, Ohio, according to FlightAware.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
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Car safety is one glaring example that Perez uncovered: During a car crash women are 47% more likely to be seriously injured than men and 17% more likely to die, even when researchers control for factors such as height, weight, seat-belt usage, and crash intensity.—
Esther K. Choy,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This is the other cost-cutting tip – there were only two – that consumers applauded, on balance, in the Wells Fargo survey.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
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Pritzker applauded Illinois student test scores in reading and math.—
Willie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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According to Variety, the website had been advertising its typical selection of merchandise and athleisure wear on Sunday, but all of those items were removed and replaced with the swastika shirt shortly after the ad aired.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
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Research suggests that about 50% of products advertised to Black women contain these types of chemicals, compared with about 7% that are advertised to White women, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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