Crushing
ˈkrʌʃɪŋ
Definitions
3 meaningsTo break or squeeze something so hard that it loses its shape or breaks into pieces.
ˈkrʌʃ
To deform, damage, or break something by force.
The machine crushed the cars into scrap metal.
💡 Simply: Think about what happens when you step on a bug - you crush it! It means to smash something flat or into pieces. Like, "I accidentally crushed the grapes when I sat on them!"
👶 For kids: To squish something really hard until it breaks!
More Examples
She crushed the cookies into crumbs.
How It's Used
"The rocks were crushed by the landslide."
"He crushed the empty can."
To defeat someone completely, or to overcome something.
ˈkrʌʃ
To subdue or defeat completely.
The defending champion crushed her opponent in the final match.
💡 Simply: Imagine a powerful army winning a battle against a weaker army, making them lose. It means to win something big. Like, "Our team crushed the other team in the game!"
👶 For kids: To win really big, like when you win a game super easily!
More Examples
The company was crushed by the economic downturn.
How It's Used
"The team crushed their opponents in the championship game."
"The leader crushed the rebellion."
Causing severe or overwhelming disappointment or failure.
ˈkrʌʃɪŋ
Extremely disappointing or destructive.
The news was a crushing blow to his hopes.
💡 Simply: It's like when something makes you feel really, really sad or defeated. Like, "Losing the competition was a crushing experience."
👶 For kids: When something is super sad or makes you feel like you failed.
More Examples
The team experienced a crushing defeat.
She felt a crushing sense of responsibility.
How It's Used
"She suffered a crushing defeat."
"The company faced crushing debt."
Idioms & expressions
crushing blow
A severe setback or disappointment.
"The news of the layoffs was a crushing blow to the employees."
From Middle English crusshen, related to Old French cruissir (to crush).
The word has been used to describe the act of physical crushing since the 14th century and the figurative sense of overpowering or defeating since the 16th century.
Memory tip
Imagine stepping on a soda can; you CRUSH it.
Word Origin
"To break or squeeze"