crack-up 1 of 2

noun

ˈkrak-ˌəp How to pronounce crack-up (audio)
Definition of crack-upnext
1
as in breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse a crack-up required him to take a year off from work

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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

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crack up

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to praise
to declare enthusiastic approval of that sports car isn't all it's cracked up to be

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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

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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

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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
Noun
By the end of 1857, no one knew the crack-up of the Union was coming in three years, or that the nation would be in a civil war in four, but the portents were bleak. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026 The crack-up could also be precipitated by a severe financial crisis during which certain governments, such as France, could no longer sell their bonds. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
Even professional designers have had to learn the hard way that some types of furniture pieces aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. — Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026 Being at the top of your game and winning on the biggest stages isn’t always all it's cracked up to be. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for crack-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crack-up
  1. breakdown
  2. collision
  3. praise
  4. blow up
  5. laugh
  6. crash
  7. applaud
  8. advertise
Noun
  • Samsung is expected to release its full third-quarter earnings, including a breakdown by business division, later this month.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Israeli strikes have killed at least 1,467 Palestinians in Gaza since a ceasefire was reached with Hamas nearly a year ago, according to the territory's Health Ministry, which doesn't give a breakdown of civilians and militants.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of breakdown
Noun
  • Thomas defenders maintained that slow-motion replays and freeze frames made an accidental collision appear deliberate.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • According to the suit, the issues led to at least one collision and two train breakdowns that stranded hundreds of travelers in the heat.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of collision
Verb
  • The one-minute television spot includes Poindexter’s daughters praising their father for his work ethic and dedication to their family.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Smoke’N Ash is also praised for Patrick Hicks’ brisket, pork ribs and rib tips, along with an extensive menu of desserts.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • There’s a lot more competition now, especially with the celebrity beauty brands and the indie or niche brands that are blowing up on TikTok, which is a super popular platform for discovering new beauty products.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Gunpowder, a miniseries from 2017, was set in 1603 with Harington playing Robert Catesby, a charismatic Catholic nobleman, who decides to blow up the Houses of Parliament with the King inside.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of blow up
Verb
  • Clark was even seen laughing after Reese missed the game-winning layup.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Both Ruto, behind the wheel, and Chivayo are seen laughing, with Chivayo's wife grinning from the back seat.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of laugh
Noun
  • Kaur’s brother, Jathinder Singh, said his sister was unable to react after the crash.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The death of legendary Argentine singer Carlos Gardel in a plane crash in Medellín in 1935 deepened the city’s already strong connection to the dance form and turned Medellín into one of tango’s most passionate homes outside Argentina.
    — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of crash
Verb
  • Mac Haddow of the American Kratom Association has applauded the DEA’s 7-OH ban but has also blamed irresponsible consumers for any deaths caused by natural kratom use.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Bryan’s on-stage statement immediately drew a lot of negative feedback from conservative fans, although there are pockets on the right that have come out against Israel’s actions in Gaza who applauded Bryan.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of applaud
Verb
  • Every employee has access to an internal job posting platform and new roles are advertised across internal communication channels.
    — Ted Kitterman, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • So, the question was to find out why people had developed such a relationship with this music, which had not been advertised or marketed for 16 years.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of advertise

Browse Nearby Words

cracks wise
crack-up
crack up
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Cite this Entry

“Crack-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crack-up. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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