smashing 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of smashingnext
as in striking

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smashing

2 of 3

noun

as in hammering

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smashing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of smash
1
as in shattering
to cause to break with violence and much noise the drunken guest deliberately smashed a glass against the brick fireplace

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2
as in demolishing
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive the firecracker smashed the clay pot

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3
as in destroying
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of the invading troops smashed the resistance and went on to conquer the country

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4
as in bumping
to come into usually forceful contact with something we nearly smashed into each other on the skating rink

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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 smashing
Adjective
Her book was a smashing success, selling half a million copies in its first week. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 21 May 2026 The project is described as Twain’s most autobiographical work yet — a record that reconnects the superstar with her Northern Ontario upbringing while still embracing the genre-smashing instincts that made her one of modern country music’s biggest crossover artists. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 13 May 2026
Noun
In a little corner of my mind, however, history will always mean the tragic smashing of individual lives by its cruel hands and the scattering of bewildered people reeling from its blows. — Literary Hub, 14 July 2026 The 17-mile (27 km) long proton-smashing tunnel, running 300 feet (100 m) below the ground near the Swiss-French border, is at the heart of the physics research conducted by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026
Verb
At the top of their performance, Yung Lean grabbed a Moon Person before making his way to the main stage and smashing the statue on the ground. — Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026 One panel was falling, then smashing on the path, lead relinquishing its long grip on the glass. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smashing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smashing
  1. striking
  2. hammering
  3. shattering
  4. demolishing
  5. destroying
  6. bumping
  7. impressive
  8. thumping
Adjective
  • The most striking aspect of his work lies in its ability to make these activities converge.
    — Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Perhaps the most striking styles in the lineup stood on curvaceous, sculptural heels resembling slithering snakes.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of striking
Noun
  • The butt of the Axvant is designed to double as a mallet, mostly for knocking in tent stakes and taking care of other basic, non-precision hammering.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Coastal flooding and hammering winds are already underway from North Carolina and Virginia to New Jersey, the start of a dayslong coastal flood and erosion threat that will extend into New England as the storm ramps up.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of hammering
Verb
  • But recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia’s oil refineries have led to widespread fuel shortages, shattering the illusion that the consequences of the conflict are far removed from ordinary Russians.
    — Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • My oven is never going to get that same shattering all-over crunch.
    — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of shattering
Verb
  • This is not the first time a coach in LAUSD has gotten into trouble trying to improve a facility, with the district issuing disciplinary action and demolishing the improvement because it was not authorized.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • On Thursday, the judge ordered the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days' notice before making any major physical changes to the building, including demolishing it.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of demolishing
Verb
  • Sign up for the newsletter When the rain does fall, Kabul’s hard, impermeable surfaces mean the water doesn’t replenish aquifers, but instead sweeps through the city as flash floods, destroying homes, killing people and rolling away.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Space debris is generated not only by kinetic space weapons but also when satellites collide and get smashed into countless fragments and smaller particles that travel at high velocity and are capable of destroying or damaging more spacecraft.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of destroying
Verb
  • There can be two women who are strong and dynamic, who are, at points, up against each other or bumping heads, but have the same mission and goal.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • These combined create a soundscape that'll keep you bumping and immersed in your audio.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of bumping
Adjective
  • Those three veteran defensive linemen were major contributors to Miami’s most impressive defensive performance of the season.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
  • As impressive as the revival has been so far, the Sox don’t seem simply happy to be here.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of impressive
Noun
  • One guy in cargo shorts and a battered Ramones T-shirt kept casting dirty looks at the sky, clearly annoyed at the thumping of the TV news helicopters — there were at least three overhead at all times — drowning out his commentary.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The Patriots went on to advance to the Super Bowl, where the Seahawks delivered a thumping.
    — Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of thumping

Browse Nearby Words

smashes
smashing
smashup
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Cite this Entry

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

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