VocabDictionary

crushing

/ˈkrʌʃ.ɪŋ/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Intense, overwhelming, or devastating, often used to describe physical pressure, emotional pain, or a decisive defeat.

Example Sentences:
  • The team suffered a crushing defeat in the final minutes of the championship game.
  • She felt a crushing sense of loneliness after moving to the new city.
2.verb

The present participle of 'crush', referring to the act of deforming, pulverizing, or compressing something with force.

Example Sentences:
  • The machine is crushing the scrap metal into compact cubes.
  • He was crushing the garlic cloves with the flat side of his knife.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “crushing”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Middle English 'crushen', which likely originated from the Old French 'croissir' (to gnash, crack, or break), ultimately tracing back to the Vulgar Latin 'crusiare', a variant of 'crusare' related to the Latin 'crus' (leg), implying the act of breaking by trampling.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Imagine a giant foot CRUSHING a soda can; the sound it makes is a 'crush'ing noise.

Frequently Asked Questions About “crushing

1. What is the meaning of “crushing” in English?

In English, crushing (adjective) is defined as: “Intense, overwhelming, or devastating, often used to describe physical pressure, emotional pain, or a decisive defeat.”.

2. How do you use “crushing” in a sentence?

The team suffered a crushing defeat in the final minutes of the championship game.

3. What are English synonyms of “crushing”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “crushing”?

Derived from the Middle English 'crushen', which likely originated from the Old French 'croissir' (to gnash, crack, or break), ultimately tracing back to the Vulgar Latin 'crusiare', a variant of 'crusare' related to the Latin 'crus' (leg), implying the act of breaking by trampling.