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¹crush

verb \ˈkrəsh\

: to press or squeeze (something) so hard that it breaks or loses its shape

: to break (something) into a powder or very small pieces by pressing, pounding, or grinding it

: to defeat (a person or group that opposes you) by using a lot of force

Full Definition of CRUSH

transitive verb

a : to squeeze or force by pressure so as to alter or destroy structure <crush grapes>

b : to squeeze together into a mass

: hug, embrace

: to reduce to particles by pounding or grinding <crush rock>

a : to suppress or overwhelm as if by pressure or weight

b : to oppress or burden grievously <crushed by debt>

c : to subdue completely

: crowd, push <were crushed into the elevator>

archaic : drink

intransitive verb

obsolete : crash

: to become crushed

: to advance with or as if with crushing

— crush·able \ˈkrə-shə-bəl\ adjective

— crush·er noun

— crush·ing·ly adverb

See crush defined for English-language learners

See crush defined for kids

Origin of CRUSH

Middle English crusshen, from Anglo-French croissir, croistre, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Low German krossen to crush

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to CRUSH

Synonyms: mash, pulp, squash

Rhymes with CRUSH

blush, brush, Cush, flush, gush, hush, lush, mush, plush, rush, shush, slush, thrush, tush

²crush

noun

: a strong feeling of romantic love for someone that is usually not expressed and does not last a long time

: the person on whom you have a crush

: a crowd of people who are pressed close together

Full Definition of CRUSH

: an act of crushing

: the quantity of material crushed

a : a crowding together (as of people)

b : crowd, mob; especially : a crowd of people pressing against one another

: an intense and usually passing infatuation <have a crush on someone>; also : the object of infatuation

— crush·proof \-ˌprüf\ adjective

See crush defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of CRUSH

1599

Related to CRUSH

Synonyms: infatuation, mash, passion

Synonym Discussion of CRUSH

crowd, throng, horde, crush, mob mean an assembled multitude. crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together <a crowd gathered>. throng and horde suggest movement and pushing <a throng of reporters> <a horde of shoppers>. crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort <a crush of fans>. mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence <an angry mob>.

CRUSHABLE Defined for Kids