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
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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
as in striking
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in hammering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of smashing
Celia Wren, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023
The program, in many respects, has been a smashing success.
—Tom Benning, Dallas News, 1 May 2020
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Ahmed Dader
august 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
People seeing Coalesce may catch its guitarist smashing his instrument before the first song ends.
—Chris R. Morgan, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smashing
Verb
Director Zi Alikhan keeps the proceedings lively, not least with a smashing dance sequence choreographed by Ambika Raina, also the show’s associate director.
—Celia Wren, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023
The program, in many respects, has been a smashing success.
—Tom Benning, Dallas News, 1 May 2020
Adjective
Most of the smashing is done by Tamburlaine, a Scythian shepherd by birth, who rises to the peaks of power, lays waste to one kingdom after another, and has the temerity, at the climax of Part 1, not to die.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
Suddenly, a tank advanced and crushed him, smashing both him and his bag of flour into the ground.
—Ahmed Dader
august 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
People seeing Coalesce may catch its guitarist smashing his instrument before the first song ends.
—Chris R. Morgan, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smashing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smashing
Verb
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Despite the ongoing discourse of economic slowdown, tariff threats and interest rate concerns, the richest Americans are shattering wealth records.—
Forbes Press Releases,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The result is nonetheless shattering, for the characters and the audience.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An image taken on August 19 shows Israeli excavators and bulldozers demolishing buildings in Zeitoun.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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About 90% of the former Spring Hill Mall is gone and work demolishing the final anchor store set to begin in the next couple of weeks, officials said.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The military has also been targeting and destroying high-rise buildings surrounding displacement camps, crowding Gaza City’s residents into ever-smaller spaces.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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Ultimately, North was found guilty of destroying official documents, accepting a home security system as a gift and obstructing Congress in 1989.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The job cuts are permanent, and employees will not have bumping rights to other positions.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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Few love it as much when leveling the playing field means bumping them down a few notches.—
John Koetsier,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There is a striking demographic contrast here though, as only a third of the 65+ age group trust smart devices for payments.—
David G.W. Birch,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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The glamorous look is more daring than Robbie's usual red carpet choices, but stands out as a striking entry in the naked dress trend.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Leeds’ 1-0 win against Everton at Elland Road was followed by a 5-0 hammering at the Emirates and a stalemate against Newcastle.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As health restrictions discouraged people from blowing directly into instruments, Gajewski and Brown reimagined the design.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
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Soldiers have also been spotted in parks carrying out tasks typically assigned to gardeners and landscapers – shoveling mulch, blowing leaves and scooping up trash.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And broadcasting your irritation too loudly risks ruining the atmosphere for everyone else just as much as their yelling or off-key chants.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Just as Alexis Bellino flubbed her second chance by aligning herself too closely with Johnny J, an Ed Hardy snapback that refuses to die, Gretchen is ruining hers by trying to relitigate things from the Obama Administration.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smashing. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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