adjective
Common
crushed
kruhsht
Crushed (adjective) means Broken into small pieces by pressure or force. Example: “Sprinkle some crushed nuts over the top of the pudding before serving.”
adjective
1
Broken into small pieces by pressure or force.
"Sprinkle some crushed nuts over the top of the pudding before serving."
"The path was covered with crushed stone, which crunched under our boots."
"She added crushed ice to the cocktail."
2
Deeply upset or devastated.
"The children were crushed when their football match was cancelled again."
"I felt completely crushed after reading her unkind message."
"He was crushed when he didn't get the promotion."
How to use crushed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither physically pulverised, or emotionally devastated by disappointment or loss.
Common pairings
crushed ice
feel crushed
crushed by the news
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more crushed
- Superlative
- most crushed
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Sprinkle some _____ nuts over the top of the pudding before serving.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for crushed
See all rhymes for crushed →Frequently asked questions
What does “crushed” mean?
The word “crushed” means broken into small pieces by pressure or force. In plain terms, either physically pulverised, or emotionally devastated by disappointment or loss.
How do you pronounce “crushed”?
“Crushed” is pronounced kruhsht (/kɹʌʃt/ in IPA).
How do you use “crushed” in a sentence?
Here is “crushed” used in a sentence: “She added crushed ice to the cocktail.”
What part of speech is “crushed”?
“Crushed” is an adjective.
Is “crushed” a common word?
“Crushed” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “crushed” have?
“Crushed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: broken into small pieces by pressure or force.
What is the difference between crushed and ground (as in pepper or spices)?
"Crushed" means broken into small, coarse pieces by pressure, so crushed red pepper still has visible flakes and texture. "Ground" means reduced to fine particles or powder by grinding. Recipes distinguish the two because coarse pieces release flavor differently from powder.
Can "crushed" describe a person's feelings?
Yes — used figuratively, "crushed" means deeply upset or devastated, as in "she was crushed by the rejection." The image is of emotional weight pressing down on someone. It describes a much stronger reaction than "disappointed."
What is crushed velvet?
Crushed velvet is velvet whose pile has been pressed or twisted so that it lies in different directions, producing a shimmering, irregular pattern. The "crushed" refers to the deliberate flattening of the pile, not to damage. It is popular for evening wear and upholstery.
What is the difference between crushed and squashed?
Both describe something deformed by pressure, but "crushed" typically implies breaking into small pieces or serious, often irreversible damage, as in "crushed ice" or "a crushed car," while "squashed" suggests flattening or squeezing something soft, like a squashed tomato. In figurative use, only "crushed" commonly describes devastated feelings.
