# crushing

/ˈkɹəʃɪŋ/ (US) · /kɹˈʌʃɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crushing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. overwhelming or total

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- The team suffered a crushing defeat in the final game of the season.
- The candidate faced a crushing electoral loss, securing less than ten percent of the popular vote in her own district.

### 2. very disappointing

adjective · CEFR B2

causing a feeling of great sadness or loss of hope.

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

- It was a crushing blow when he found out he didn't get the job.
- The news of the project's cancellation was a crushing disappointment to the staff who had worked on it for years.

### 3. the act of pressing

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- The crushing of the grapes is the first step in making this wine.
- Industrial machinery is used for the crushing of ore to extract precious metals from the raw rock.

## Examples

- The team suffered a crushing defeat in the final minutes.
- Losing his job after twenty years of service was a crushing blow to his self-esteem and financial security.
- The documentary captures the crushing weight of poverty in rural communities, illustrating how systemic barriers can extinguish even the most resilient spirits over several generations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.