crushed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "crushed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone feeling demoralized or defeated, such as "He was crushed by his failure." You can also use it to describe an object being physically reduced to smaller pieces, such as "She crushed the can with her foot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 2008, Brown had very publicly crushed a proposal to agree to an early referendum put forth by the Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander, one of Brown's long-term allies.

The Guardian

Bahrain stands out as the first example of an Arab country where popular protests were crushed – with the assistance of neighbouring Saudi Arabia and the acquiescence of the US and Britain, whose military, strategic and business interests wed them to a status quo in which the Sunni Al Khalifa dynasty rules over a disenfranchised Shia majority.

The Guardian

"The boat next to me, one fellow got his leg crushed between the boat and the ship," Chaisson said.

The Guardian

His family said his spine was "80% severed" at the neck and his voice box almost crushed.

The Guardian

Consider: just over a year has passed since the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory, which saw more than 1,100 staff crushed to death and another 2,500 injured, many permanently disabled.

The Guardian - Opinion

The local community was caught up in the harriers' fate; children at the primary school who had named Sky were distraught; Blainaid Denman, who had led a hen harrier project for the RSPB in the area, said she felt "crushed".

The Guardian

Once harvested, these hearts are taken to the nearby Patrón distillery, where they will be cooked, crushed and fermented to become premium tequila.

The Guardian

Serves 4 8 chicken thighs, skin on 2 ripe but firm peaches 250g cooked freekeh 1 medium radicchio, broken into leaves 1 spring onion, finely chopped 4tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1tsp honey leaves of 6 tarragon sprigs 20g pistachios, lightly crushed 150ml water Sea salt Black pepper Bone the thighs if necessary and lay them flat, skin-side up.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

First, the cook must rustle up the stuffing – a byzantine combination of, among other things, breadcrumbs, veal, pork, butter, caraway seeds, poppy seeds, apples, orange, crushed tinned pineapple and preserved ginger – and sew it carefully into the bird, which is then browned in a very hot oven.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Instead we've been shown how a series of events from a failed affair and a terminated pregnancy to the horrendous neighbour, the set-up, the arrest and the loss of both her mother and her cat has slowly crushed Denton.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And, crushed also by his family's fate, he took his own life on 11 May 1943.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crushed" to describe emotions, ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the emotional distress. For example, "She was crushed by the news of the layoffs" clarifies the cause.

Common error

Avoid using "crushed" for minor setbacks. Reserve this word for situations involving significant emotional or physical impact to maintain its intended force. For lighter disappointments, consider using alternatives like "disappointed" or "let down".

Linguistic Context

The word "crushed" primarily functions as a past participle of the verb "crush", often used adjectivally to describe a state or condition. It can also function as a verb in the past tense. Ludwig AI indicates its usage in describing both physical states and emotional conditions, as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Lifestyle

17%

Sport

12%

Less common in

Business & Formal

10%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "crushed" is a versatile word that can function as both a verb and an adjective, commonly used to depict intense physical compression or overwhelming emotional distress. As highlighted by Ludwig, the word is grammatically correct and suitable for use in diverse writing contexts. Its high frequency in news and media indicates its relevance in describing current events and impactful narratives. While generally neutral in tone, it is advisable to reserve "crushed" for scenarios with significant consequences, avoiding overuse in minor situations to preserve its expressive power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly defeated

Focuses on the complete loss in a contest or situation, highlighting the extent of defeat.

sorely disappointed

Emphasizes the emotional impact of a negative outcome, suggesting a deep feeling of letdown.

heavily compressed

Highlights the physical force or pressure applied, resulting in a reduction in size or shape.

thoroughly trounced

Implies a one-sided victory where the opponent was completely outmatched.

totally devastated

Highlights the emotional damage or ruin caused by a tragic event or loss.

ground to dust

Emphasizes complete destruction of something solid, reducing it to its smallest parts.

reduced to rubble

Focuses on the outcome of a violent demolition that leads to scattered pieces of material.

flattened completely

Suggests a process or result where something that was standing is brought down to be level with the ground.

overwhelmed completely

Focuses on the condition of being overcome by a strong emotion or force, often leading to a state of helplessness.

brought to nothing

Expresses that efforts or plans have failed and amounted to no meaningful achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "crushed" in a sentence?

The word "crushed" can describe physical compression, as in "The car was crushed by the falling debris", or emotional distress, as in "He felt crushed after the rejection".

What can I say instead of "crushed" when describing feelings?

You can use alternatives like "devastated", "heartbroken", or "dejected" depending on the intensity of the emotion.

Which is correct, "crushed" or "being crushed"?

Both "crushed" and "being crushed" can be correct depending on the context. "Crushed" is often used as a past participle or adjective, while "being crushed" describes an ongoing action or process.

What is the difference between "crushed" and "defeated"?

"Crushed" often implies a more intense and overwhelming sense of defeat or destruction, both physically and emotionally, compared to simply "defeated".