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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in claps
a loud explosive sound
the bikes collided with a huge smash
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of smashes
Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
Delivery robot smashes into glass of bus shelter in Old Town on Tuesday afternoon.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
In fact, Bridget has a bold take that smashes our assumptions about what science is supposed to look like to smithereens.
—Mariel Carr, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
The figure smashes Styles’ previous personal best with Harry’s House, which opened with sales of 113,000.
—Sophie Williams, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2026
This weekend’s attack on Iran smashes through those limits altogether.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
At one point, someone runs up behind the officer and smashes a snowball into the back of the cop’s head.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Flowers and debris go flying as the vehicle then smashes head-on into a tree.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Sammie smashes Remmick over the head with his guitar before the vampire can sink his claws into him.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
This behind-the-scenes professional has shepherded box office smashes and prestige titles into the pop culture conversation.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
As racket smashes go, there isn’t much smashing of the racket here.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The patties are indeed thin, but the burger sits more upright than most smashes and there isn’t the lacy crispness on the edges.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Huntr/x is on the same level as Twice and (G)I-dle, tied for the second-most smashes among girl groups connected to K-pop.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Mars is known for his string of solo smashes and high-profile collaborations that have dominated the charts and racked up awards.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 8 Jan. 2026
Plus, Zach Top, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Tucker Wetmore and several other stars all showed up and showed out for the occasion, performing some of country music’s biggest smashes of the year for an audience of their peers.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2025
That wait is over now, and this film has the chance to be one of the bigger box office smashes of 2026.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
But Wark smashes a ball to left field for the Aggies to retake the lead, 7-5.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
Delivery robot smashes into glass of bus shelter in Old Town on Tuesday afternoon.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
In fact, Bridget has a bold take that smashes our assumptions about what science is supposed to look like to smithereens.
—Mariel Carr, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
The figure smashes Styles’ previous personal best with Harry’s House, which opened with sales of 113,000.
—Sophie Williams, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2026
This weekend’s attack on Iran smashes through those limits altogether.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
At one point, someone runs up behind the officer and smashes a snowball into the back of the cop’s head.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Flowers and debris go flying as the vehicle then smashes head-on into a tree.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Sammie smashes Remmick over the head with his guitar before the vampire can sink his claws into him.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
In fact, there were many loud screams in the theater and the smashes seemed plenty.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
This behind-the-scenes professional has shepherded box office smashes and prestige titles into the pop culture conversation.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
As racket smashes go, there isn’t much smashing of the racket here.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The patties are indeed thin, but the burger sits more upright than most smashes and there isn’t the lacy crispness on the edges.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Huntr/x is on the same level as Twice and (G)I-dle, tied for the second-most smashes among girl groups connected to K-pop.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Mars is known for his string of solo smashes and high-profile collaborations that have dominated the charts and racked up awards.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 8 Jan. 2026
Plus, Zach Top, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Tucker Wetmore and several other stars all showed up and showed out for the occasion, performing some of country music’s biggest smashes of the year for an audience of their peers.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2025
That wait is over now, and this film has the chance to be one of the bigger box office smashes of 2026.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smashes
Verb
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Related Stories The film shatters stereotypical visuals of space, veering away from cold and desaturated colors, and using warmer tones such as orange.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Security footage provided by Elfvin shows the robot rolling directly into the side panel of a bus shelter, which shatters and showers the robot and sidewalk around it with what appears to be glass shards.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Rototilling also destroys earthworms and the critical beneficial microbes that interact with plant roots to keep them healthy.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Because scarring alopecia destroys the hair follicles, the resulting hair loss is permanent.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … ‘ABOMINATION’ — Turning Point USA slams Daily Mail over misleading Charlie Kirk murder coverage.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The shop held monthly poetry slams and won numerous local awards for best bookstore in the city.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin appeared to get banged up from a series of collisions and was in obvious pain on the bench in the second.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Sadly, it’s estimated that more than 100 million to one billion birds die every year in collisions with manmade structures.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And in California, three people were killed in vehicle crashes during police pursuits in separate incidents last week.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
An interactive data map from Strong Town Chicago, whose local chapter helps promote campaigns for safer city streets, indicated that there were 61 crashes within 300 feet of the 63rd and Kedzie intersection.—
Asal Rezaei,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Shesterkin’s first thought was about how big the 6-foot-6 Markström was, but the smaller goalie still managed to land the majority of the blows.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Parks turned into deserts, great skyscrapers leveled by blows from the tails of the monsters, and the entire population threatened in the panic and pestilence that followed the invasion.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Tears flowed, and the audience held space for grief, offering supportive claps and chants.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
That front will bring a chance of drizzle to the coast, a few claps of thunder to the Sacramento Valley and snow flurries to the Tahoe area.—
Anthony Edwards,
San Francisco Chronicle,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smashes. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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