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
-
In the end, Remick buys Scorsese's script to kill it, leading to an emotional breakdown from the filmmaker.—
Carson Blackwelder,
People.com,
7 June 2025
-
This breakdown is far worse than Trump’s usual fallouts following the exits of scores of other former loyalists.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
From 1988 to 2023, wildlife collisions in the U.S. killed 76 people and destroyed 126 aircraft.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 June 2025
-
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
Verb
-
During the trophy ceremony, Paolini praised her partner.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
-
Mamdani has also been praised as a prolific communicator and has run a social media-savvy campaign.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
Later that day, that cellphone number blew up with dozens of text messages and calls.—
Marta Martínez,
NPR,
8 June 2025
-
Elon Musk’s feud with Donald Trump is already costing him big—Musk’s fortune fell by $27 billion Thursday, with Tesla’s shares sinking by 14%, as the pair took to blowing up their relationship in a public back-and-forth.—
Matt Durot,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Carrington laughed with teammate Marina Mabrey after the incident.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
5 June 2025
-
Carney almost laughed at the notion that young audiences, especially internationally, particularly care about the market size of the NBA Finalists.—
Howard Homonoff,
Forbes.com,
5 June 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
-
Mayor James Demetriades applauded the board’s decision, and said his town’s schools and some of their students are being unfairly singled out.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2025
-
Despite Macchio feeling his skills were a little rough, Ripa and Consuelos plus the audience applauded for seeing the original Karate Kid in action.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Just a short drive from Reykjavik, the Golden Circle is advertised as an ideal route for first-time visitors or anyone short on time.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
Available drugs were advertised on these apps in stories that disappeared within 24 hours and in posts that were removed after a certain amount of time, according to the federal agency.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share