1
as in shatters
to cause to break with violence and much noise
the drunken guest deliberately smashed a glass against the brick fireplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in demolishes
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive
the firecracker smashed the clay pot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in destroys
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
the invading troops smashed the resistance and went on to conquer the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in slams
to come into usually forceful contact with something
we nearly smashed into each other on the skating rink
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in collisions
a forceful coming together of two things
the awful smash when his dreams got hit by reality
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2
as in crashes
the violent coming together of two bodies into destructive contact
the sound of the smash made all of the bystanders immediately whip their heads around
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in blows
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
she gave the tennis ball a smash and sent it flying over the other side of the net
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4
as in claps
a loud explosive sound
the bikes collided with a huge smash
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5
as in hits
a person or thing that is successful
the new Broadway musical is a smash
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of smashes
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
The trend isn’t one-sided either, as clips have surfaced of brides being the ones to start the frosting fight, like in this TikTok video where a bride smashes a piece of cake on her groom’s face.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
In the United Kingdom, as fans wait for something new from the global pop star, one of her earlier career smashes returns to the top 40 and becomes a bestseller again.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
At a single, two-minute dinner, Hermann Kafka smashes a cockroach while denigrating his son’s engagement to Felice Bauer before reiterating his distaste for Franz’s writing.
—Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
There’s no time to get your bearings; an EDM drop smashes everything to pieces, then a pained voice croons in the rubble while drunkenly mashing a detuned guitar.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
The recent radio data uncovered delicate filaments aligned with magnetic fields, likely created as the pulsar wind smashes into leftover material from the stellar explosion.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Antonia smashes the conch—a very tough meat—into thin slices.
—Peter Kelly, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2025
After Marcus smashes Terry's head in with his own, Gladys drops the twig in the bowl of water to put an end to his violent frenzy.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 8 Aug. 2025
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
In some cases, these cake smashes have even ended in disaster or divorce.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
The ball smashes into the floodlights, and Hobbs sets off on his victory trot, in slow motion, with sparks cascading behind him like fireworks.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
The trend isn’t one-sided either, as clips have surfaced of brides being the ones to start the frosting fight, like in this TikTok video where a bride smashes a piece of cake on her groom’s face.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
In the United Kingdom, as fans wait for something new from the global pop star, one of her earlier career smashes returns to the top 40 and becomes a bestseller again.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
At a single, two-minute dinner, Hermann Kafka smashes a cockroach while denigrating his son’s engagement to Felice Bauer before reiterating his distaste for Franz’s writing.
—Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
There’s no time to get your bearings; an EDM drop smashes everything to pieces, then a pained voice croons in the rubble while drunkenly mashing a detuned guitar.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
The recent radio data uncovered delicate filaments aligned with magnetic fields, likely created as the pulsar wind smashes into leftover material from the stellar explosion.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Antonia smashes the conch—a very tough meat—into thin slices.
—Peter Kelly, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2025
After Marcus smashes Terry's head in with his own, Gladys drops the twig in the bowl of water to put an end to his violent frenzy.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
Both smashes have spent 276 weeks on the chart as of this frame.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
In some cases, these cake smashes have even ended in disaster or divorce.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smashes
Verb
-
The shift change shatters my sleep like a robin’s egg crashing against pavement.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Most sitcoms that cast celebrities to play themselves go the Thompson route, crafting a character that completely shatters the person’s public image.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jake and Vince have an unbreakable bond that destroys everyone and everything, but as Law points out, their issues are rooted in their early family life.—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
This final betrayal will be his undoing, as the enraged creature, doomed to live without connection, care, or love, finally snaps and destroys everything Victor holds dear.—
Thomas Page McBee,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The steep new parking surcharge slams the brakes on that, hitting both visitors and the workers who would have served them.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Except Steven gets in a car wreck in episode two of season three, and trauma slams Belly and Jeremiah back together.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At least 23 people have died in collisions in 2025, 16 of whom were pedestrians or cyclists.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
This is to prevent collisions at first base, and also to make that runner’s lane in foul territory actually mean something because no right-handed batter when leaving the box ever enters that running lane.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Soft-top versions usually weigh more, and heavier vehicles fare better in crashes.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The finale arrives like crashes of thunder and lightning, shifting between forceful and delicate moments.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The blows come from front, back, and the demonstrator doesn’t seem to hold back even.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Frazier, though, was relentless, seeking a way inside Ali’s reach, driving blows into Ali’s ribs but moving too fast to get caught by the night-ender Ali had planned.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Bounces reporter Ben Rothenberg noted that the president received some claps as well.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
However, videos of a booing crowd with a few claps quickly made it to social media.—
Sequoia Carrillo,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Together, the Boones combined for a remarkable 634 home runs, 3,139 RBIs, and 5,890 hits, with 10 All-Star selections and 11 Gold Gloves.—
Candace Oehler,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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The film bluntly communicates the danger of football on the body and brain, with X-ray-vision scenes that show players’ skeletons bearing the impact of hellacious hits.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smashes. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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