crush 1 of 2

1
as in to mash
to cause to become a pulpy mass dark-colored grapes that will be crushed to make red wine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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5
as in to squeeze
to apply external pressure on so as to force out the juice or contents of after crushing the grapes, let the skins soak in the juice in order to extract some color

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
as in to cram
to fit (people or things) into a tight space the desperate refugees were crushed into the back of the truck

Synonyms & Similar Words

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crush

2 of 2

noun

1
as in passion
a strong but often short-lived liking for another person fondly remembers the crush that she had on a boy one summer long ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun crush differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crush are crowd, horde, mob, and throng. While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort.

a crush of fans

When might crowd be a better fit than crush?

While the synonyms crowd and crush are close in meaning, crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together.

a crowd gathered

When is mob a more appropriate choice than crush?

The words mob and crush can be used in similar contexts, but mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence.

an angry mob

How do throng and horde relate to one another, in the sense of crush?

Both throng and horde suggest movement and pushing.

a throng of reporters
a horde of shoppers

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 crush
Verb
Demerara syrup 3 fresh lime wedges 6 fresh mint leaves Muddle syrup with the limes in a Tom Collins glass, crush the mint leaves by putting them in the palms of your hands and clapping once or twice, add rum and club soda and tap down a long spoon and stir. Mark Gauert, Sun Sentinel, 16 May 2025 Shoes that are not shipped out for resale by Sneaker Impact are crushed and given a second life as foam, rubber or textiles. Cristian Benavides, CBS News, 16 May 2025
Noun
Heuston plays the Season 1 love rival role of Justin, Hannah’s (Bright) longtime crush, a college rock band singer. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 May 2025 Shortly after a fine break, Journalism had gotten forced toward the rail in the classic Derby crush but was deftly piloted clear by jockey Umberto Rispoli. Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for crush
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crush
Verb
  • The more apparitions that arrive, the more the Delta blues mashes up with hip-hop, rock, and other styles.
    EW.com, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Stroman’s abysmal opening inning began with Mike Yastrzemski mashing his first pitch — an 89.4-mph sinker over the heart of the plate — for a double.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Several protesters were injured, some of them critically, by Flash-balls fired by riot police, or by cops sent out to quell demonstrations that were growing increasingly unwieldy.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025
  • It’s also infused with aloe and calendula extracts, which are soothing to skin and help quell redness.
    Deanna Pai, Vogue, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • That impacts many young players like Pak, who are grinding, just trying to survive on tour.
    Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
  • Since Hamas’s devastating attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel’s large-scale response, pro-Palestinian protests spread across the United States, including at Israeli consulates and college campuses, during the grinding conflict in Gaza.
    Adam Goldman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Cruel and unaccountable events pile up, overwhelming any sense of normality.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
  • The ‘Willy Wonka’ phase A sweet, sugary smell overwhelms the next pod at Goodblend. Gummies in hues of orange, red, yellow, green and blue sit on parchment paper a metal tray.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Umberto Rispoli squeezed between horses around the top of the stretch and then rode Journalism to a tremendous rally.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2025
  • Martinez’s son squeezed the trigger five times, shooting Rivera to death and wounding two others, the detective wrote in the affidavit.
    Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • Hundreds of townspeople and visitors crammed into the red-brick Rhea County Courthouse to witness the trial.
    Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2025
  • Nanoleaf has been consistently reliable with their tech and keep on coming up with fun ways to cram even more LEDs into more things.
    Anthony Karcz, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • After the Mass, while meeting with dignitaries and world faith leaders, the pope broke protocol to hug his brother.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
  • The extra weight is believed to help calm the nervous system, mimicking the feeling of being hugged and promoting a sense of security and relaxation.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • While market opportunity and product-market fit are paramount, successful entrepreneurship often stems from an innate drive and passion for pursuing a vision.
    Daniel Ramsey, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • On May 24, Saturn will enter Aries for the first time in decades, marking the start of a new era of autonomy and bold passion.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 26 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crush. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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