What does "crushing" mean?

1. (overwhelming or total) used to describe a defeat or a force that is so strong it cannot be stopped. 2. (very disappointing) causing a feeling of great sadness or loss of hope. 3. (the act of pressing) the act of pressing something so hard that it breaks or changes shape.

crushing

adj. · n.

US //ˈkɹəʃɪŋ// UK //kɹˈʌʃɪŋ// crush·ing

1 overwhelming or total (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

used to describe a defeat or a force that is so strong it cannot be stopped.

describing a force, defeat, or weight that is overwhelming or absolute in its power.

Example

The team suffered a crushing defeat in the final game of the season.

Example

The candidate faced a crushing electoral loss, securing less than ten percent of the popular vote in her own district.
- slight
- narrow
2 very disappointing (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

causing a feeling of great sadness or loss of hope.

causing extreme disappointment, distress, or a sense of being emotionally overwhelmed.

Example

It was a crushing blow when he found out he didn't get the job.

Example

The news of the project's cancellation was a crushing disappointment to the staff who had worked on it for years.
- uplifting
- encouraging

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3 the act of pressing (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical

the act of pressing something so hard that it breaks or changes shape.

the physical action of compressing or pulverising a substance through intense pressure.

Example

The crushing of the grapes is the first step in making this wine.

Example

Industrial machinery is used for the crushing of ore to extract precious metals from the raw rock.

Origin

By surface analysis, crush + -ing.