smashing 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of smashingnext
as in striking

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

smashing

2 of 3

noun

as in hammering

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
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 Their mission, a smashing success, tested a NASA rocket and spacecraft on the first human flight into deep space in more than five decades. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 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
And while smashing a tanning bed should’ve gotten his point across, Cameron also spoke with InStyle to share more skin care tips, plus a couple beauty bonuses courtesy of his new fiancée. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026 At the height of the roughly two-and-a-half-hour melee that followed, as many as 1,500 people surged through Westwood Village, smashing windows, looting stores, and vandalizing cars. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 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
  • Beyond the conventional routes lie some of the world’s most striking volcanic highlands, black-sand beaches, and untamed wilderness—landscapes that reward those willing to venture farther afield.
    — Gwen Nicol, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Much like its London siblings, Chelsea Townhouse offers a striking counterpoint to the slew of large luxury hotels that have opened in the city more recently—a discreet, comfortable brand of luxury without the extra frills.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of striking
Noun
  • This song features a kick drum throughout, and the boosted bass takes it from background timekeeping to foreground hammering.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The Middle East faces chaotic power shifts as Iran, despite taking a hammering, refuses to back down, though its regional influence is expected to wane.
    — Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of hammering
Verb
  • The video shows a customer walking out of Cinnaholic when the girls ride the scooter through the window, shattering the glass.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Wednesday, which was forecast to be the hottest day of the heat wave, brought record-shattering temperatures across the Southland.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of shattering
Verb
  • As community members organized marches and protests, Abdeen helped bring a class-action lawsuit against the city, arguing that demolishing the neighborhood would violate residents’ civil rights.
    — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Trump has faced widespread criticism for demolishing the East Wing of the White House to make room for the grand ballroom design.
    — Callum Sutherland, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of demolishing
Verb
  • Pumping at high speeds creates a suction vortex (upconing) that violently draws heavy sludge into the production stream, fouling piping and destroying surface pumps.
    — Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The tornado wreaked havoc in the village of 1,000 inhabitants, reducing homes to rubble and destroying numerous cars.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of destroying
Verb
  • Against this stripped down but still bumping backdrop, Christmas and Crack’s loose, witty braggadocio shines.
    — Brendan Hay, SPIN, 24 Aug. 2026
  • In June, Luna hopped clumsily from one branch to another, bumping Sandy off her perch and sending her to a branch below.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of bumping
Adjective
  • The most impressive trick Paranormal Activity pulls off is making an entire theater — devotees and newcomers alike — afraid to look away, and giving them one hell of a good time while doing it.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The ingredients are impressive, but the shopper reviews are even better.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of impressive
Noun
  • Down there in the air the buzz of the vacuum cleaner on carpets and the thumping of carpets against the walls.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The rain disappeared, and even the thumping of other Throttle concerts elsewhere on their 600-acre grounds seemed to fade.
    — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of thumping

Browse Nearby Words

smashes
smashing
smashup
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smashing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All