crush 1 of 2

1
as in to mash
to cause to become a pulpy mass dark-colored grapes that will be crushed to make red wine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
3
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5
as in to squeeze
to apply external pressure on so as to force out the juice or contents of after crushing the grapes, let the skins soak in the juice in order to extract some color

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
as in to cram
to fit (people or things) into a tight space the desperate refugees were crushed into the back of the truck

Synonyms & Similar Words

7

crush

2 of 2

noun

1
as in passion
a strong but often short-lived liking for another person fondly remembers the crush that she had on a boy one summer long ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

2

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun crush differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crush are crowd, horde, mob, and throng. While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort.

a crush of fans

When might crowd be a better fit than crush?

While the synonyms crowd and crush are close in meaning, crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together.

a crowd gathered

When is mob a more appropriate choice than crush?

The words mob and crush can be used in similar contexts, but mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence.

an angry mob

How do throng and horde relate to one another, in the sense of crush?

Both throng and horde suggest movement and pushing.

a throng of reporters
a horde of shoppers

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 crush
Verb
Wide receiver Lil’ Jordan Humphrey cracked back with a crushing block on rookie edge Abdul Carter. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 28 July 2025 And now with Surfside in its third summer on the market, customers are crushing Surfside after Surfside, especially along the beaches of the Northeast coast. Sarah Whitmire, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Noun
While every other coach fielded questions himself, the crush of media required a UNC official to moderate Belichick’s session, calling on reporters who peppered the coach with questions. David Ubben, New York Times, 25 July 2025 On the evening of a ball, for example, a crush of ladies would wait in line inside the house’s legendary address at 7 Rue de la Paix. Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for crush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crush
Verb
  • Trent Grisham also mashed a three-run shot off the right-field foul pole to give the Bombers what looked like a commanding 9-4 lead.
    James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The crossover continues a recent popular industry trend of mashing up characters from different franchises and universes.
    Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • In order to try and quell the escalation, former Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra rang Hun Manet’s father, Hun Sen to soothe tensions.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 28 July 2025
  • While Warren Buffett, the chairman of BNSF parent Berkshire Hathaway, shot down the Goldman speculation, that hasn’t quelled chatter that CSX may be in the railroad’s crosshairs as an acquisition target.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • The fact that everybody was there and everyone was grinding, there was that little extra motivation to really get this thing going.
    Vic Tafur, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • This precise semiautomatic machine can grind your beans, push out balanced shots, and froth your milk.
    Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • With no hemming required, each one of these matching sets won’t drag on the floor or overwhelm your small frame.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2025
  • In greater numbers than ever, children hollowed up by hunger are overwhelming the Patient’s Friends Hospital, the main emergency center for malnourished kids in northern Gaza.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Then, squeeze your Magic Eraser a few times to activate the foaming bubbles.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 20 July 2025
  • When cold fronts and other weather systems come along, that moisture can get wrung out, like squeezing a water-laden sponge, yielding heavy and often highly localized downpours.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • Try to avoid cramming errands, intense planning or doomscrolling right before bed.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • There seems to be, in some superhero movies, cramming other people in because people like seeing these characters together.
    EW.com, EW.com, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • Mothers crying out loud for their children, and fathers hugging their children close to their chests.
    Troy Onyango, Time, 24 July 2025
  • In this sweet, candid moment, Lopez hugs her babies while backstage on the Marry Me set.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • After finishing her schooling, Laine worked in a variety of day jobs, although her passion for performing never wavered.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2025
  • Come for the hard news and stay for stuff that feeds your passions: top-shelf dining, sports and music content.
    Benjamin Goad, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crush. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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