Smash: meaning, definitions and examples

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smash

[smæʃ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

video games

To defeat an opponent in a video game, especially by using powerful or skillful moves.

Synonyms

beat, crush, defeat, trounce.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
smash	Use this word when talking about breaking something violently into pieces or winning something by a very large margin. He smashed the vase in anger. They smashed the record by finishing the race in under two hours.
crush	Often used to describe completely dominating or destroying something or someone, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation. The machine can crush large rocks into small stones. They crushed the visiting team, scoring five goals in the first half.
defeat	Use this word when you want to describe winning against someone or something in a more formal or official context. They managed to defeat the champions in a close match. The army defeated the rebels after a long battle.
beat	This word is suitable for situations where you overcome someone in a competition or physical confrontation. She beat her opponent in the finals. You will need to practice a lot if you want to beat him in chess.
trounce	This word describes defeating someone by a large margin and often has a slightly informal tone. The home team trounced their rivals with a score of 6-0. She trounced her competitors in the spelling bee.

Examples of usage

He smashed his opponent in the final round.
She's really good at smashing in this game.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

tennis

A forceful overhead shot in tennis.

Synonyms

kill shot, power shot.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
smash	The repetition of this word likely implies its versatile use in contexts like music, culture, and entertainment, where it describes something that is a big hit or very successful. The band's latest single was a smash hit. The movie was a smash success, breaking box office records.
power shot	Used across various sports to describe a shot executed with a lot of force. Unlike 'smash', it doesn't necessarily imply a downward motion but emphasizes the strength and speed of the shot. He scored the winning goal with an incredible power shot from outside the box. Her power shot left the goalkeeper completely helpless.
kill shot	Typically used in racquet sports and sometimes in martial arts and first-person shooter video games, this term describes a shot or strike intended to decisively end a play, rally, or match. It has a more aggressive connotation and suggests finality. She went for a kill shot, ending the game with a stunning display of skill. In the final moments of the game, he took a kill shot to secure victory.

Word

Description / Examples

smash

The repetition of this word likely implies its versatile use in contexts like music, culture, and entertainment, where it describes something that is a big hit or very successful.

The band's latest single was a smash hit.
The movie was a smash success, breaking box office records.

power shot

Used across various sports to describe a shot executed with a lot of force. Unlike 'smash', it doesn't necessarily imply a downward motion but emphasizes the strength and speed of the shot.

He scored the winning goal with an incredible power shot from outside the box.
Her power shot left the goalkeeper completely helpless.

kill shot

Typically used in racquet sports and sometimes in martial arts and first-person shooter video games, this term describes a shot or strike intended to decisively end a play, rally, or match. It has a more aggressive connotation and suggests finality.

She went for a kill shot, ending the game with a stunning display of skill.
In the final moments of the game, he took a kill shot to secure victory.

Examples of usage

She hit a powerful smash that her opponent couldn't return.
His smash was so strong that it broke the opponent's racket.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'smash' comes from the Middle English word 'smaschen', meaning to crush or break.
It has roots in the Old English 'smeċċan', which means to strike or beat.
In the 19th century, 'smash' evolved to describe breaking something down violently or forcefully.

Pop Culture

The movie 'Smash' is a musical drama series that aired on NBC, showcasing the production of a Broadway musical.
The phrase 'smash hit' is commonly used in the entertainment industry to describe a song or film that is very popular.
In video games, a 'smash' move often refers to a powerful attack that can knock opponents out of the arena.

Science

In physics, a 'smash' can refer to a high-energy collision, like those studied in particle accelerators.
The term is used in material science to describe the breaking point of an object under stress.
When a celestial object collides with another, such as an asteroid smashing into a planet, it can create significant impact craters.

Psychology

The term 'stress smash' is sometimes used to describe the sudden breakdown individuals may experience under extreme pressure.
Research shows that expressing anger through physical activity, like smashing objects (safely), can help release pent-up emotions.
The concept of 'smashing' in cognitive behavioral therapy can symbolize breaking negative thought patterns.

Engineering

In construction, the term 'smash' can refer to the controlled demolition of buildings using explosives.
Smashing can also describe the process in which materials are crushed to make them easier to transport or recycle.
In the field of robotics, 'smash' motions are often analyzed for their effectiveness in tasks like crushing waste or recycling materials.

Translations

Translations of the word "smash" in other languages:

🇵🇹 esmagar

🇮🇳 कुचलना

🇩🇪 zerquetschen

🇮🇩 hancurkan

🇺🇦 розбити

🇵🇱 zmiażdżyć

🇯🇵 粉砕する (ふんさいする)

🇫🇷 écraser

🇪🇸 aplastar

🇹🇷 ezmek

🇰🇷 으깨다

🇸🇦 سحق

🇨🇿 rozdrtit

🇸🇰 rozdrviť

🇨🇳 粉碎 (fěnsuì)

🇸🇮 zdrobiti

🇮🇸 mylja

🇰🇿 жою

🇬🇪 გადატეხვა

🇦🇿 əzmək

🇲🇽 aplastar

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,073, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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16070 punching
16071 unwittingly
16072 idly
16073 smash
16074 tritium
16075 conjugation
16076 acclaimed
...