1
as in breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
a crack-up required him to take a year off from work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in collision
the violent coming together of two bodies into destructive contact
two people were injured in a serious crack-up on the interstate
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to praise
to declare enthusiastic approval of
that sports car isn't all it's cracked up to be
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to blow up
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively
the movie is being cracked up as the blockbuster of the summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to laugh
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
try not to crack up at your own punch lines—it's funnier if you keep a straight face
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 crack-up
Emily Tamkin, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2023
The movie tracks Carl’s descent, his crack-up, and his slow waking up to reality.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Apr. 2023
Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025
People were cracking up at how this interaction immediately reminded them of two young siblings fighting.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Noun
Despite their differences on policy, there is little reason to expect a crack-up between the Hungarian and American right in the near future.
—Emily Tamkin, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2023
The movie tracks Carl’s descent, his crack-up, and his slow waking up to reality.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Apr. 2023
Verb
Best joke of the sketch: the hosts cracking up with laughter at the thought of paying back student loans.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025
People were cracking up at how this interaction immediately reminded them of two young siblings fighting.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
Noun
-
Here's a breakdown and a look at which can still win all four of them The Athletic’s Chelsea correspondents, Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey, had one of their cosy chats to talk about some of the issues surrounding the final.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
The failure to adequately cover Biden’s decline points to a broader breakdown that has a simple explanation.—
Becket Adams,
National Review,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
Daniel David Parra, 21, was killed in a collision between his Kawasaki motorcycle and a gray Toyota RAV4 SUV in the 3100 block of West Sunrise Boulevard, Lauderhill police said Sunday.—
David Fleshler,
Sun Sentinel,
1 June 2025
-
From 1988 to 2023, wildlife collisions in the U.S. killed 76 people and destroyed 126 aircraft.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
But authorities were praised for their quick response to the incident and swift updates.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
27 May 2025
-
Debatable, but then again, who doesn’t like being praised.—
Anna Juul,
The Dial,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
So blow up those pool floaties, get outside, and log online?—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
23 May 2025
-
Mescudi's May 22 testimony included claims that Combs blew up a Porsche car belonging to the Grammy-winning rapper at his Hollywood Hills home with a Molotov cocktail.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
What if automatic password hacking machines laugh in the face of your security efforts?—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
-
Are the locals quietly laughing at us behind our backs?—
James Fallon,
Footwear News,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
Near the start of their senior years in 1951, three of Jennings’ close friends, including two mutual friends of Atkinson, died in a vehicle crash in Santa Barbara.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2025
-
The United States Air Force performed full military honors Saturday at the funeral of the 18-year-old woman killed in a jet ski hit-and-run crash last weekend at Grapevine Lake.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
Some members of the nuclear industry applauded the reform.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
23 May 2025
-
After the change was announced, Horne applauded the decision.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
The 30-second commercials advertised the benefits of the Lake County Convention Center in Gary, featuring city sites and prominent community members, including Melton.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
21 May 2025
-
Oscar Mayer has advertised in sports programming in the past, even going so far as to sponsor the Super Bowl halftime show in 1996 and 1997.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share