smashing

[ smash-ing ]

/ ˈsmæʃ ɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR smashing ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

impressive or wonderful: a smashing display.

crushing or devastating: a smashing defeat.

Origin of smashing

First recorded in 1825–35; smash + -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM smashing

smash·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby smashing

smash hit, smash-and-grab, smash-up, smashed, smasher, smashing, smatch, smatter, smattering, smatv, smaze

Definition for smashing (2 of 2)

smash

[ smash ]

/ smæʃ /

verb (used with object)

to break to pieces with violence and often with a crashing sound, as by striking, letting fall, or dashing against something; shatter: He smashed the vase against the wall.

to defeat, disappoint, or disillusion utterly.

to hit or strike (someone or something) with force.

to overthrow or destroy something considered as harmful: They smashed the drug racket.

to ruin financially: The depression smashed him.

Tennis, Badminton, Table Tennis. to hit (a ball or shuttlecock) overhead or overhand with a hard downward motion, causing the shot to move very swiftly and to strike the ground or table usually at a sharp angle.

verb (used without object)

to break to pieces from a violent blow or collision.

to dash with a shattering or crushing force or with great violence; crash (usually followed by against, into, through, etc.).

to become financially ruined or bankrupt (often followed by up).

to flatten and compress the signatures of a book in a press before binding.

noun

the act or an instance of smashing or shattering.

the sound of such a smash.

a blow, hit, or slap.

a destructive collision, as between automobiles.

a smashed or shattered condition.

a process or state of collapse, ruin, or destruction: the total smash that another war would surely bring.

financial failure or ruin.

Informal. smash hit.

a drink made of brandy, or other liquor, with sugar, water, mint, and ice.

Tennis, Badminton, Table Tennis.

an overhead or overhand stroke in which the ball or shuttlecock is hit with a hard, downward motion causing it to move very swiftly and to strike the ground or table usually at a sharp angle.
a ball hit with such a stroke.

adjective

of, relating to, or constituting a great success: That composer has written many smash tunes.

Origin of smash

1690–1700; perhaps blend of smack² and mash¹

SYNONYMS FOR smash

5 bankrupt.

11 crash.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR smash ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for smash

1. See break.

OTHER WORDS FROM smash

smash·a·ble, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for smashing

Will he go for the schoolteacher and abandon the family, leaving behind his smashing dinner suits?

What Downton’s Fashion Really Means |Katie Baker |January 2, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
When I was growing up they called Green Day and Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins “alternative pop.”

The Rise of Jack Antonoff, the Taylor Swift Whisperer |Kevin Fallon |November 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Those who claim to speak for a vengeful Allah take great delight in smashing idols wherever and whenever they can get to them.

ISIS Is About to Destroy Biblical History in Iraq |Christopher Dickey |July 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
This weekend should have been a smashing success for Johnny Depp.

Why Are All of Johnny Depp’s Movies Bombing at the Box Office? |Tricia Romano |April 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Twenty-five years after smashing the music business, Krist Novoselic would like to do the same to special interests.

Nirvana’s Bassist Wants to Go Grunge on Government |Olivia Nuzzi |April 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
He swung it about him, smashing everything in the room which could be smashed.

Joan of Arc of the North Woods |Holman Day
A courier came in from Gen. Kautz's cavalry, then smashing things out beyond Petersburg, bringing encouraging news.

A Boy Trooper With Sheridan |Stanton P. Allen
Cockles' hands dropped momentarily, and Keeks, whipping in a smashing right uppercut, had his man down and out.

Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 146, March 11, 1914 |Various
Men of every regiment filled stellar rôles in this smashing advance.

The Iron Division, National Guard of Pennsylvania, in the World War |H. G. Proctor
"Every gibber's got an opal heart," remarked George, smashing a large boulder to fragments.

In Search of El Dorado |Alexander MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for smashing (1 of 2)

smashing

/ (ˈsmæʃɪŋ) /

adjective

informal, mainly British excellent or first-rate; wonderful we had a smashing time

British Dictionary definitions for smashing (2 of 2)

smash

/ (smæʃ) /

verb

to break into pieces violently and usually noisily

(when intr, foll by against, through, into, etc) to throw or crash (against) vigorously, causing shattering he smashed the equipment; it smashed against the wall

(tr) to hit forcefully and suddenly

(tr) tennis squash badminton to hit (the ball) fast and powerfully, esp with an overhead stroke

(tr) to defeat or wreck (persons, theories, etc)

(tr) to make bankrupt

(intr) to collide violently; crash

(intr often foll by up) to go bankrupt

smash someone's face in informal to beat someone severely

noun

an act, instance, or sound of smashing or the state of being smashed

a violent collision, esp of vehicles

a total failure or collapse, as of a business

tennis squash badminton a fast and powerful overhead stroke

informal

something having popular success
(in combination)smash-hit

slang loose change; coins

adverb

with a smash

Derived forms of smash

smashable, adjective

Word Origin for smash

C18: probably from sm ( ack ² + m) ash

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

smashing

adjective

Origin of smashing

OTHER WORDS FROM smashing

Words nearby smashing

Definition for smashing (2 of 2)

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

adjective

Origin of smash

SYNONYMS FOR smash

synonym study for smash

OTHER WORDS FROM smash

Example sentences from the Web for smashing

British Dictionary definitions for smashing (1 of 2)

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for smashing (2 of 2)

verb

noun

adverb

Derived forms of smash

Word Origin for smash

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

smashing

adjective

Origin of smashing

OTHER WORDS FROM smashing

Words nearby smashing

Definition for smashing (2 of 2)

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

adjective

Origin of smash

SYNONYMS FOR smash

synonym study for smash

OTHER WORDS FROM smash

Words related to smashing

Example sentences from the Web for smashing

British Dictionary definitions for smashing (1 of 2)

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for smashing (2 of 2)

verb

noun

adverb

Derived forms of smash

Word Origin for smash