WordGarden.iocrushingly
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /krˈʌʃɪŋli/
US
- /krˈʌʃɪŋli/
Meanings
Adverb
to an overwhelmingly severe or dispiriting degree
Beyond the definition
"Crushingly" describes something that hits with a heavy, painful force—like a weight pressing down on you. It's more than just disappointing; it can feel defeating. If your favorite team loses in the championship game, it might be crushingly disappointing. A "crushingly honest" assessment isn't gentle or tactful; it's blunt and likely to hurt feelings. The word suggests being overwhelmed by something powerful and unpleasant, as if you were being physically crushed.
"Crushingly" is an adverb used to intensify how severely something affects someone or something else. It suggests an overwhelming, devastating, or debilitating effect—reminiscent of being physically crushed under immense pressure. It's not simply a strong feeling; it's one that leaves you flattened and defeated.
You might describe a defeat as "crushingly one-sided," meaning the loss was complete and undeniable. A financial setback could be "crushingly expensive," implying it will have long-lasting consequences. A critique can be "crushingly critical"—not just pointing out flaws, but doing so in a way that can destroy confidence.
The power of "crushingly" lies in its vivid imagery. It's not enough to say something is bad; it crushes you. This makes it particularly effective when describing emotional experiences like disappointment, grief, or humiliation. For example, being "crushingly aware of one's mistake" suggests a deep and painful realization that is hard to shake.
While often used with negative emotions or outcomes, "crushingly" can also emphasize sheer degree—for instance, "The evidence was crushingly against him," meaning it was overwhelmingly conclusive. It's a word that conveys not just intensity, but a sense of overwhelming force. When you want to describe an impact that feels far beyond "very"—and that leaves little room for hope or comfort—"crushingly" is a strong choice.
Examples
- 1
Cost
For many students, living in the city is crushingly expensive.
- 2
Silence
After the crowd left, the house felt crushingly quiet.
- 3
Strong awareness
He was crushingly aware of how badly the meeting had gone.
- Patternaware of + fact
noticing it very strongly
- 4
Defeat
Losing in the final minute was crushingly disappointing.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Obvious weakness
By the end of the interview, her lack of experience was crushingly obvious.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- crushingly disappointed
- crushingly defeated
- crushingly obvious
- crushingly boring
Word family
Explore
- emotional intensity
- defeat
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- crushinglyadverb