Definitions

crackup

[krak-uhp] / ˈkrækˌʌp /

NOUN

destruction, breakdown

Synonyms

STRONGEST

breakdown destruction smash-up

STRONG

accident collapse crash debacle

WEAK

mishap ruin

NOUN

mental breakdown

Synonyms

STRONGEST

breakdown nervous breakdown

STRONG

burnout clinical depression collapse nervous exhaustion nervous prostration

WEAK

derangement mental illness neurosis

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

John Wall had a front-row seat to this spectacular crackup.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

Maxine can tell at a glance that Shannon is on the verge of another crackup.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 24, 2025

In 2021, researchers noticed fissures on the floating ice at the ocean foot of the glacier, suggesting its crackup may already be underway.

From Science Magazine • May 19, 2024

The crackup silenced the massive crowd that had greeted Perez with thunderous cheers on every lap all weekend.

From Washington Times • Oct. 29, 2023

Hardware crackup was a matter of the laws of probability.

From Instinct by Martinez