crush crush /ˈkrʌʃ/

noun

1. () Leather that has had its grain pattern accentuated  ( crushed leather , crush )
   leather that has had its grain pattern accentuated
   
2. The act of crushing  ( compaction , crunch , crush )
   the act of crushing
   
3. [Informal] Temporary love of an adolescent  ( calf love , crush [Informal] , infatuation , puppy love )
   temporary love of an adolescent
   
4. A dense crowd of people  ( crush , jam , press )
   a dense crowd of people
   

verb

1. () Come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority  ( oppress , suppress , crush )
   come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
    The government oppresses political activists
   The government oppresses political activists
   
2. () Come out better in a competition, race, or conflict  ( shell , trounce , vanquish , beat , beat out , crush )
   come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
    Agassi beat Becker in the tennis championship
   Agassi beat Becker in the tennis championship
    We beat the competition
   We beat the competition
    Harvard defeated Yale in the last football game
   Harvard defeated Yale in the last football game
   
3. () To compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition  ( squelch , mash , squash , crush , squeeze )
   to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
    Crush an aluminum can
   crush an aluminum can
    Squeeze a lemon
   squeeze a lemon
   
4. () Break into small pieces  ( crush )
   break into small pieces
    The car crushed the toy
   The car crushed the toy
   
5. Become injured, broken, or distorted by pressure  ( crush )
   become injured, broken, or distorted by pressure
    The plastic bottle crushed against the wall
   The plastic bottle crushed against the wall
   
6. Make ineffective  ( crush , break down )
   make ineffective
    Martin Luther King tried to break down racial discrimination
   Martin Luther King tried to break down racial discrimination
   
7. Crush or bruise  ( crush , jam )
   crush or bruise
    Jam a toe
   jam a toe
   
8. Humiliate or depress completely  ( crush , smash )
   humiliate or depress completely
    She was crushed by his refusal of her invitation
   She was crushed by his refusal of her invitation
    The death of her son smashed her
   The death of her son smashed her