1
2
as in suppresses
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
the government is doing everything to crush the latest guerrilla uprising
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in grinds
to reduce to fine particles
crushed the baby's medicine tablet and mixed it with applesauce
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in overwhelms
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
the terrible news of her death simply crushed the entire family
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
6
7
as in hugs
to put one's arms around and press tightly
she tearfully crushed the child to her breast
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in passions
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
as in swarms
a great number of persons or creatures massed together
the huge crush in the store must have far exceeded safety limits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crushes
Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Ella Langley crushes internet troll.
—David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
This time, though, he's already somewhat sidelined by the introduction of Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), and then he's stunningly killed during a fight with Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford), who defeats him and crushes his head.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 9 May 2026
As for Erik, his father’s decision crushes his whole identity.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
William crushes his cousin Ben (Alex Bhat) in a bear hug.
—Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
Because these drugs are so precious, new antibiotics are deliberately held in reserve to slow the emergence of resistance, a practice known as stewardship that benefits future patients but crushes commercial prospects.
—Henry Skinner, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
Early voting crushes record in Texas Early voting in Texas smashed records.
—From Staff Reports, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026
Or perhaps you will be filled with private thoughts, fantasies and crushes about someone.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Short fiction, a novel about young adult crushes and an amazing Minnesota musician’s memoir will brighten your spring reading.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Just know that secret crushes, behind-the-scenes flirtations and late-night conversations could steal your attention during this time.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Maddox Batson, at just 16, is the latest, drawing comparisons to young Justin Bieber with his songs about middle-school crushes and country living.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
High Fidelity distills adolescence down to its core tent poles of crushes and music.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Apr. 2026
That seemingly unromantic shift towards feeling more like roommates than crushes isn’t inherently bad.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 8 Apr. 2026
Tell your friends, parents, crushes and foes that the Chronicle’s Top 100 is back.
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 31 Mar. 2026
From orange crushes to signature cocktails and even a running hot dog competition behind the bar, Section 771 pulls out all the stops for the season opener.
—Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
Lady Gaga, crushes, Tom Cruise, and movie theaters — the through-line for this week is obsession.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Ella Langley crushes internet troll.
—David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
This time, though, he's already somewhat sidelined by the introduction of Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), and then he's stunningly killed during a fight with Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford), who defeats him and crushes his head.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 9 May 2026
As for Erik, his father’s decision crushes his whole identity.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
William crushes his cousin Ben (Alex Bhat) in a bear hug.
—Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
Because these drugs are so precious, new antibiotics are deliberately held in reserve to slow the emergence of resistance, a practice known as stewardship that benefits future patients but crushes commercial prospects.
—Henry Skinner, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
Early voting crushes record in Texas Early voting in Texas smashed records.
—From Staff Reports, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026
Or perhaps you will be filled with private thoughts, fantasies and crushes about someone.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
Civilian crushes were a different story.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Short fiction, a novel about young adult crushes and an amazing Minnesota musician’s memoir will brighten your spring reading.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Just know that secret crushes, behind-the-scenes flirtations and late-night conversations could steal your attention during this time.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Maddox Batson, at just 16, is the latest, drawing comparisons to young Justin Bieber with his songs about middle-school crushes and country living.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
High Fidelity distills adolescence down to its core tent poles of crushes and music.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Apr. 2026
That seemingly unromantic shift towards feeling more like roommates than crushes isn’t inherently bad.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 8 Apr. 2026
Tell your friends, parents, crushes and foes that the Chronicle’s Top 100 is back.
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 31 Mar. 2026
From orange crushes to signature cocktails and even a running hot dog competition behind the bar, Section 771 pulls out all the stops for the season opener.
—Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crushes
Verb
-
Set to John Philip Sousa military marches, the zany spectacle mashes up a night at the Moulin Rouge with a Busby Berkeley extravaganza.—
Rachel Howard,
San Francisco Chronicle,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Cheaper pruners use a blade and anvil — essentially one sharp blade that mashes the branch against a flat surface.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bright light in the 2,500-10,000 lux range during the first six hours of a night shift suppresses melatonin and enhances alertness.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
-
Bright light in the 2,500-10,000 lux range during the first six hours of a shift suppresses melatonin and sharpens alertness.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
When Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro raises his hand skyward, all on-field action grinds to a halt.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
-
Their offensive flow grinds to a halt.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
This is the monthly observing window — when moonlight no longer overwhelms the fainter stars and the sky begins to reveal itself again.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
-
Excess sugar overwhelms the kidneys, which flush it — along with hydrating fluids — out through urine, leaving people dehydrated and trapped in a cycle of thirst.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
For the United States, the blockade squeezes Iran’s already weakened economy by denying it long-term cash flow.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The waves, which were first used in Boston in 2011, help spread things out so that runners don’t have to walk after the start, when Main Street in Hopkinton squeezes to just 39 feet wide.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At home, Jonathan Wright, director of the Indianapolis art museum's park and gardens, stuffs in the plants, stacks the pots, and lets everything grow.—
Teresa Woodard,
Midwest Living,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Tyler Cameron happily stuffs his face at the launch of Panera's new salad stuffers during an intimate dinner in New York.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bakambu reaches him, lifts the younger man’s chin, and hugs him.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
-
The slim fit style hugs your body comfortably and lays flat under clothing for all-day freshness under tops, sweaters, blazers, button-downs and more.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Fabric has always been one of my biggest passions in my career.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
-
But when John’s cousin Michaela (Masali Baduza) returns to London to tend to the Kilmartin estate, Fran’s complicated feelings will have her questioning whether to stick to her pragmatic intentions or pursue her inner passions.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crushes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crushes. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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