crush

[ kruhsh ]

/ krʌʃ /

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See synonyms for: crush / crushed / crushing / crusher on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to press or squeeze with a force that destroys or deforms.

to squeeze or pound into small fragments or particles, as ore, stone, etc.

to force out by pressing or squeezing; extract: to crush cottonseeds in order to produce oil.

to rumple; wrinkle; crease.

to smooth or flatten by pressure: to crush leather.

to hug or embrace forcibly or strongly: He crushed her in his arms.

to destroy, subdue, or suppress utterly: to crush a revolt.

to overwhelm with confusion, chagrin, or humiliation, as by argumentation or a slighting action or remark; squelch.

to oppress grievously.

Archaic. to finish drinking (wine, ale, etc.).

verb (used without object)

to become crushed.

to advance with crushing; press or crowd forcibly.

noun

the act of crushing; state of being crushed.

a great crowd: a crush of shoppers.

Informal.

an intense but usually short-lived infatuation with someone.
the object of such an infatuation: Who's your latest crush?

Verb Phrases

crush on, Informal. to have an infatuation with; have a crush on: She’s been crushing on him for a year.

OTHER WORDS FOR crush

1 crumple, rumple.

2 pulverize, powder, mash, crumble.

7 quell, overcome, quash.

See synonyms for crush on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about crush

crush it, Informal. to do something very well and with enthusiasm.

Origin of crush

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English cruschen, crusshen, from Middle French croi(s)sir, cruisir “to gnash one's teeth, make a crashing or cracking sound, crackle, rustle, smash,” Medieval Latin cruscīre “to crackle,” from Germanic; compare Gothic kriustan “to crunch, grind,” Old Swedish krusa, krosa “to crush,” krȳsta “to gnash (one's teeth),” Middle Low German krossen “to crush”

synonym study for crush

2. See break.

OTHER WORDS FROM crush

crush·a·ble, adjectivecrush·a·bil·i·ty, nouncrush·a·bly, adverbcrusher, noun

un·crush·a·ble, adjectiveun·crushed, adjectivewell-crushed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use crush in a sentence

Opting for devices that are made to handle the crush will be a life-saver.
Best WiFi extenders: Five things to consider|Eric Alt|November 25, 2020|Popular-Science
The rail service often brings in extra workers to manage the crush of passengers at Union Station, but this year will be different.
Planning on Thanksgiving holiday travel? Many in the D.C. area are staying put.|Lori Aratani|November 23, 2020|Washington Post
Someone’s anatomy also doesn’t determine who they might have a crush on or fall in love with.
Scientists Say: Puberty|Bethany Brookshire|November 23, 2020|Science News For Students
Some of the workers who tested positive in October and have since recovered came back to work last week to help contend with the crush of absentee votes.
‘We will not allow anyone to stop us’: Day and night, under historic scrutiny, the nation’s vote counters carried on|Amy Gardner, Reis Thebault, Hannah Knowles, Michelle Lee|November 9, 2020|Washington Post

Sometimes we develop a crush on an attractive person who seems absolutely perfect right up until the first or second date, when the person reveals that what we thought was confidence and charisma was egotism and bullying.
Three love stories about birds that will delight your heart|Laura Erickson|November 6, 2020|Popular-Science
The train was already in motion as she tried to step inside, and her body was crushed beneath it.
Riding Thailand’s WWII Death Railway|Liza Foreman|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tank Battle Jeep Guard Crush -- some editorial changes and the removal of all blood when the guards are crushed by the tank.
Sony Emails Show How the Studio Plans to Censor Kim Jong Un Assassination Comedy ‘The Interview’|William Boot|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With Marshal at his side, Richard crushed Philip and his armies.
England’s Greatest Knight Puts ‘Game of Thrones’ to Shame|William O’Connor|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Once a girl's self-esteem is crushed, the effects are far reaching and long lasting.
To End HIV, Stop Violence Against Adolescent Girls|Michele Moloney-Kitts|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A couple hundred years ago, of course, the church or state could have just crushed such a heterodox movement.
America’s Fastest Growing Death Holiday Is From Mexico|Michael Schulson|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The young man smiled at the girl, as he crushed up the notes and stuffed them into his pocket.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
"I am sorry," she replied instead, not saying a word about the poor little toes which the pretty pink lady had crushed.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
By one bold charge they must have crushed the defenders, if by sheer weight of numbers alone.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
Babeuf and Darthe, the principal leaders were secured and executed, which completely crushed the Jacobin power.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
A tidal wave rolls landward, and twenty thousand human beings are drowned, or crushed to death.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

British Dictionary definitions for crush (1 of 2)

crush¹

/ (krʌʃ) /

verb (mainly tr)

to press, mash, or squeeze so as to injure, break, crease, etc

to break or grind (rock, ore, etc) into small particles

to put down or subdue, esp by forceto crush a rebellion

to extract (juice, water, etc) by pressingto crush the juice from a lemon

to oppress harshly

to hug or clasp tightlyhe crushed her to him

to defeat or humiliate utterly, as in argument or by a cruel remark

(intr) to crowd; throng

(intr) to become injured, broken, or distorted by pressure

noun

a dense crowd, esp at a social occasion

the act of crushing; pressure

a drink or pulp prepared by or as if by crushing fruitorange crush

informal

an infatuationshe had a crush on him
the person with whom one is infatuated

Derived forms of crush

crushable, adjectivecrushability, nouncrusher, noun

Word Origin for crush

C14: from Old French croissir, of Germanic origin; compare Gothic kriustan to gnash; see crunch

British Dictionary definitions for crush (2 of 2)

crush²

/ (krʌʃ) /

noun

vet science a construction designed to confine and limit the movement of an animal, esp a large or dangerous animal, for examination or to perform a procedure on it

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with crush

crush

see have a crush on.

crush

OTHER WORDS FOR crush

Idioms about crush

Origin of crush

synonym study for crush

OTHER WORDS FROM crush

Words related to crush

How to use crush in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for crush (1 of 2)

Derived forms of crush

Word Origin for crush

British Dictionary definitions for crush (2 of 2)

Other Idioms and Phrases with crush