smash

/smæʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [smˈæʃ] /smæʃ/ (ame, ipa) · [smˈæʃ] /ˈsmash/ (ame, mw)

smash — verb

  • smashpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • smasheshe / she / it
  • smashedpast simple
  • smashing-ing form

1. to make something shatter into many fragments with a loud noise, for instance by

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to make something shatter into many fragments with a loud noise, for instance by dropping it or hitting it against a hard surface.

例句

Yumi accidentally smashed the vase when she bumped into the table.

transitive: smash + fragile object

A brick smashed through the window during the storm last night.

intransitive: smash + through + something

同義詞
  • shatter

    emphasises that the object breaks into many tiny scattered fragments

  • break

    a more general word that does not specify noise or violence

  • crush

    suggests pressing or grinding rather than striking

反義詞
  • repair

    to fix something that has been broken

  • mend

    to restore something broken to a usable state

文法句型

smash + object

smash + into + something

object + smash(es)

用法筆記

Frequently used with a phrase showing result or direction: smashed to pieces, smashed on the ground, smashed through a window. The object is typically something brittle such as glass, pottery, or a mirror.

常見錯誤

❌I smashed the paper into small pieces.
✅I tore the paper into small pieces.
💡'smash' implies breaking something hard or brittle, not flexible materials like paper.
❌He smashed the watermelon open carefully.
✅He carefully cut the watermelon open.
💡'smash' implies force and noise; careful action contradicts the word.

2. to strike or push something against a solid surface with extreme force, which of

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to strike or push something against a solid surface with extreme force, which often leads to harm or destruction.

例句

The thief smashed the door open with a heavy metal bar.

smash + object + open (resultative)

Anthony smashed his fist against the wall in anger.

同義詞
  • crash

    often used for vehicles colliding; similar in force but does not imply breaking

  • ram

    implies deliberate, repeated impact

  • batter

    suggests repeated hitting rather than a single blow

文法句型

smash + object + adverb/preposition

smash + adverb/preposition

用法筆記

A directional adverb or preposition (open, through, into, against) almost always follows. Unlike sense 1, the struck surface does not necessarily break into pieces — the emphasis is on the force of the impact.

常見錯誤

❌She smashed the ball gently over the net.
✅She gently tapped the ball over the net.
💡'smash' describes violent, forceful impact, not gentle hits.

3. in tennis, volleyball, or badminton, to strike a ball that is high in the air wi

3.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

in tennis, volleyball, or badminton, to strike a ball that is high in the air with a hard, downward motion so that the opponent cannot return it.

例句

Mert leapt up and smashed the volleyball over the net for the winning point.

transitive: smash + ball + over + net

The tennis player ran forward and smashed the ball past her opponent.

同義詞
  • spike

    the equivalent term in volleyball; rarely used for tennis

  • drive

    a forceful hit but not necessarily downward

反義詞
  • lob

    a soft, high shot that goes over the opponent's head

文法句型

smash + the ball + preposition

用法筆記

The direct object is always a ball or shuttlecock. Unlike sense 2, there is no implication of damage or injury — this describes a legal sports move.

常見錯誤

❌He smashed the ball to his teammate gently.
✅He passed the ball gently to his teammate.
💡a smash is always a hard, powerful hit, not a soft pass.

4. to defeat an opponent or destroy an opposing group completely, so that they have

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

to defeat an opponent or destroy an opposing group completely, so that they have no power left.

例句

The army smashed the rebel forces in a decisive three-day battle.

smash + military opponent

Police smashed the drug ring after a year-long undercover investigation.

同義詞
  • crush

    very similar in force, but 'crush' can also suggest gradual pressure

  • annihilate

    more formal and dramatic, means to destroy completely

  • overwhelm

    focuses on the opponent being unable to resist due to the scale of force

反義詞
  • lose to

    to be defeated by an opponent

文法句型

smash + opponent / criminal group / obstacle

用法筆記

Often used figuratively with abstract objects such as an argument, a case, a barrier, or a stereotype. The sense implies total, crushing defeat rather than a narrow victory.

常見錯誤

❌We smashed them by one point.
✅We narrowly beat them by one point.
💡'smash' implies a large margin, not a close win.

5. to exceed a previous high score or achievement by a wide margin, particularly in

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

to exceed a previous high score or achievement by a wide margin, particularly in sports, sales, or entertainment.

例句

The Jamaican sprinter smashed the world record by nearly two-tenths of a second.

smash + the record + by + margin

Shirin smashed her personal best in the hundred-metre breaststroke event.

同義詞
  • break

    the standard verb for records; 'smash' adds the sense of a very large margin

  • beat

    neutral and widely used; does not imply the margin of victory

文法句型

smash + a/the record

用法筆記

Almost always used with the noun record as the direct object. The object can be a world record, a personal best, sales records, or a high score. This is distinct from sense 4 because the emphasis is on surpassing a benchmark, not on destroying an opponent.

常見錯誤

❌He smashed the record by only a tiny margin.
✅He narrowly broke the record.
💡'smash a record' implies a large improvement, not a small one.
❌She smashed the exam.
✅She did very well on the exam.
💡you cannot smash an exam; you can only smash a record or a score.

smash — noun