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
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 group chats, people would send his videos and debate about whether things like bone smashing, which only a few friends tried, worked. — Eli Thompson, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026 The trend ranges from healthy grooming to dangerous practices, such as bone-smashing using a hammer to enhance facial features, which Clavicular has advocated. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
The film starts on an unexpectedly rainy day, when the family realizes they’re sealed into their house with no way of opening or smashing through the doors or windows. — William Earl, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026 The final resting place of SpaceX's moon-smashing rocket has been found. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 6 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
  • With their slender, metallic green bodies and prominent black eyes, emerald ash borers have a striking, jewel-like appearance.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Those are some of the striking examples of observational register, one that uses tactical distance, sound, slowness and associative montage to convey pain without resorting to the evidentiary shock of graphic imagery.
    — Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 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
  • With each passing episode of its second season, Sugar has been leading its title character to the same mind-and-spirit-shattering dilemma.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Water levels in Budapest sunk to 4 inches Monday, shattering the previous record low of 13 inches set in 2018, according to the Associated Press.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of shattering
Verb
  • Despite being identified decades ago, the exact trigger of the joint-demolishing condition is still unclear.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
  • At least one person was arrested for trespassing in connection with an earlier protest to stop contractors from demolishing the other trees.
    — Michael Loria, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Definition of demolishing
Verb
  • Gen gets to bust out her flapper dress only to witness the most horrific, awful, potentially career-destroying failure … the caviar, oysters, and bread are all crowded onto the bread plate.
    — Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The three were accused of destroying property of value less than $1,000.
    — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of destroying
Verb
  • Fears that the good times might be over slashed 15% from the share price and since then the shares have been bumping along the basement of a fall of about 35%.
    — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • That leaves operators with very little room to keep bumping prices.
    — Wyles Daniel, jsonline.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of bumping
Adjective
  • Alternatively, a less-than-impressive pre-season and a lack of transfer activity can leave supporters fearing the worst.
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • No more impressive lunar eclipse will occur until New Year’s Eve 2028, and in North America until June 26, 2029.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of impressive
Noun
  • Filled with gray, silty water, the pool was vigorously boiling and producing loud thumping sounds caused by steam bubbles forming and collapsing beneath the surface.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • The infant’s heart beats into the night, like the thumping of a little giant, breaking rocks deep in the Mines of Moria.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 June 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 15 Aug. 2026.

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