To break, pound, or grind (stone or ore, for example) into small fragments or powder. 2. a. To put down with force; subdue: The regime crushed the rebellion. b. To overwhelm or oppress severely: spirits that had been crushed by rejection and failure. c. To defeat overwhelmingly: Our team was crushed in the playoffs. 3. Adjective crushing (comparative more crushing, superlative most crushing) That crushes; overwhelming. crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together. throng and horde suggest movement and pushing. crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort. mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence. Crushing, screening and separating inert solids on-site is a great contributor to the state’s recycling program. We operate and maintain machines to eliminate hidden costs. Wear, daily operational costs and downtime can crush profits. Create temporary roadways on site during project. Compared to decisive, crushing implies emotional or physical destruction, not just a clear result. Total is too clinical; crushing emphasizes the weight of the loss. The experience of stardom can be absolutely crushing. On some days the fatigue is so crushing that he can't get out of bed. crushing blow The news came as a crushing blow. crushing defeat Their army had suffered a crushing defeat. The experience of stardom can be absolutely crushing. On some days the fatigue is so crushing that he can't get out of bed. crushing blow The news came as a crushing blow. crushing defeat Their army had suffered a crushing defeat. Something that's crushing is terribly upsetting or overwhelming. Your favorite team's crushing loss to its rival comes as a huge, disappointing surprise. Synonyms for CRUSHING: overwhelming, painful, unacceptable, unbearable, uncomfortable, harsh, insufferable, intolerable; Antonyms of CRUSHING: sustainable, tolerable, acceptable, endurable, sufferable, adequate, satisfactory, livable Crushing returns to San Francisco at the Strand with an all-new lineup of artists. We're anchored by the belief that romantic love is a connective tissue of the human experience, and one that teaches us profound things about who we are as individuals.