as in striking
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in hammering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in shattering
to cause to break with violence and much noise
the drunken guest deliberately smashed a glass against the brick fireplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in demolishing
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 destroying
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 bumping
to come into usually forceful contact with something
we nearly smashed into each other on the skating rink
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 smashing
Matt Crossman,
Midwest Living,
14 Apr. 2026
Kim Kardashian made sure her son Psalm West had a smashing 3rd birthday party!
—
Jen Juneau,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Apr. 2026
The start of its third act wobbles a bit, but the filmmakers provide a smashing ending that holds hope there will be more adventures to follow.
—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
It’s designed for maximum movement—returning serves, smashing overheads, and driving backhands—but this tennis skirt can also be paired with a button-down and flats for more formal occasions.
—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for smashing
Adjective
And that was a smashing success.
—
Matt Crossman,
Midwest Living,
14 Apr. 2026
Kim Kardashian made sure her son Psalm West had a smashing 3rd birthday party!
—
Jen Juneau,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
The trend ranges from healthy grooming to dangerous practices, such as bone-smashing using a hammer to enhance facial features, which Clavicular has advocated.
—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Apr. 2026
The start of its third act wobbles a bit, but the filmmakers provide a smashing ending that holds hope there will be more adventures to follow.
—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
Instead of shattering the window, debris will simply bounce off the glass without smashing through the opening.
—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
It’s designed for maximum movement—returning serves, smashing overheads, and driving backhands—but this tennis skirt can also be paired with a button-down and flats for more formal occasions.
—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for smashing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smashing
Adjective
-
Enter one of the 315 guestrooms and suites and automatic blinds open to reveal striking runway views.
-
Amazingly, for all his striking power, Mbappé may not be France’s most crucial player.
Noun
-
There is no hammering out a return with another team because the parameters and compensation are outlined based on the average annual value offered.
-
During a walk-through for reporters on Thursday, construction noises — particularly sanding and hammering — could be heard.
Verb
-
SpaceX’s record-shattering IPO has minted thousands of new millionaires, unleashing a wave of high-end home shoppers poised to reshape Southern California’s already tight coastal housing markets.
-
The record-shattering heat waves in Europe last week and in the western US in March are two recent examples.
Verb
-
Digital Realty already began demolishing the inside of the building, so Gray believed the agreement was set.
-
But everyday people expressed their political outrage time and again, throwing rocks at and demolishing the houses of government officials, torching the king’s ships and forts and, eventually, marching to battle.
Verb
-
Mexican fruit flies are one of the world’s most destructive pests when laying their eggs, destroying or damaging fruit such as apples, grapefruits, avocados, peaches and pears, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
-
But Blue Origin suffered a major setback in May when one of its New Glenn rockets abruptly exploded on the launchpad, destroying vital infrastructure that will take months to rebuild.
Verb
-
In this case, safe meant a track big enough for two riders to race without bumping into each other.
-
Hurd was seen fist-bumping another attacker moments after deputies intervened, Madden Ragland said.
Adjective
-
Rooms frame garden and water views through floor-to-ceiling windows, with wraparound balconies in Sea Suites facing Istanbul’s impressive skyline.
-
So, even more impressive to me is the way these grills can hold hot flames stable.
Noun
-
Filled with gray, silty water, the pool was vigorously boiling and producing loud thumping sounds caused by steam bubbles forming and collapsing beneath the surface.
-
The infant’s heart beats into the night, like the thumping of a little giant, breaking rocks deep in the Mines of Moria.
Cite this Entry
“Smashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smashing. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
