crackup
Americannoun
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a crash; collision.
-
a breakdown in health, especially a mental breakdown.
-
collapse or disintegration.
the crackup of an alliance.
Etymology
Origin of crackup
First recorded in 1850–55; noun use of verb phrase crack up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
John Wall had a front-row seat to this spectacular crackup.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026
In 2019, several of its co-authors reported the discovery of a family of asteroids, named Athor, that was produced in the crackup of an ancient body.
From Science Magazine • Apr. 16, 2024
The crackup silenced the massive crowd that had greeted Perez with thunderous cheers on every lap all weekend.
From Washington Times • Oct. 29, 2023
I figured his crackup had begun, and he’d soon be whisked off to the hospital.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 26, 2022
From a junkyard they had obtained a battered air lift, smashed almost beyond use in the crackup of a ten-thousand dollar sports cruiser.
From Code Three by Raphael, Rick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
