Dash vs. Smash: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on September 28, 2023
Dash refers to a quick movement or a small amount of something, while Smash denotes forcefully breaking something into pieces.
Key Differences
Dash and Smash are two distinct words with different applications and meanings. Dash can be seen as a swift movement, often conveying urgency, like someone dashing through the rain.
On the other hand, Smash evokes the image of force and impact. When an object smashes, it usually breaks or shatters upon hitting another object or surface.
A dash, apart from indicating speed, can also mean a small quantity, like a dash of salt. The word can also be used in contexts like punctuation, notably the dash symbol used in writing.
Conversely, Smash can be used to describe successes or hits, especially in entertainment. A movie can be a "box office smash" if it's particularly popular and successful.
In essence, while both words imply some form of action, Dash tends to emphasize swiftness and minor addition, whereas Smash emphasizes force and impact, sometimes even success.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A quick movement or a minor amount
Forcefully breaking something into pieces or a great success
Usage
Describing speed, small quantities, or punctuation
Describing force, impact, or success
Part of Speech
Noun, verb
Noun, verb
Contextual Application
Often linked with haste and minor addition
Associated with force, destruction, or achievement
Synonyms
Sprint, rush, pinch
Crush, shatter, hit
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Dash and Smash Definitions
Dash
A symbol used in punctuation.
Use a dash to indicate a pause in the sentence.
Smash
To defeat or overpower completely.
The champion smashed his rivals in the competition.
Dash
To move with haste; rush
Dashed into the room.
Dashed down the hall.
Smash
To break (something) into pieces suddenly, noisily, and violently; shatter.
Dash
To strike violently; smash
Waves dashing on the rocks.
Smash
To render (something) into a mush or pulp, as by throwing or crushing
Smashed the tomatoes against the wall.
Dash
To break or smash by striking violently
The ship was dashed upon the rocks.
Smash
To strike with a heavy blow or impact
The boxer smashed his opponent in the ribs. The bulldozer smashed down the barricade.
Dash
To hurl, knock, or thrust with sudden violence
Dashed the cup against the wall.
Smash
(Sports) To hit (a ball, puck, or shuttlecock) in a forceful overhand stroke.
Dash
To remove by striking or wiping
Dash tears from one's face.
Smash
To cause to come into forceful contact with something
Stood up and smashed his head against the cabinet door.
Dash
To splash; bespatter
Dash water on one's face.
Smash
To crush or destroy completely
The army smashed the rebellion.
Dash
To write hastily. Often used with off
Dashed off a note to the dean.
Smash
To surpass or outdo by a large margin
Smashed the record for goals in a season.
Dash
To drink hastily. Often used with down
Dashed down a glass of milk.
Smash
To move and strike or collide suddenly, noisily, and violently
The car smashed into a tree.
Dash
To add an enlivening or altering element to
A speech dashed with humor.
Smash
To break suddenly into pieces, as from a violent blow or collision
The dish smashed when it hit the floor.
Dash
To affect by adding another element or ingredient to
Ice cream that was dashed with rum.
Smash
(Sports) To hit a ball, puck, or shuttlecock in a forceful overhand stroke.
Dash
To destroy or wreck
Our hopes were dashed by the news.
Smash
To go bankrupt.
Dash
To discourage or dispirit
"This discouraging information a little dashed the child" (Charles Dickens).
Smash
A heavy blow or collision
The smash knocked over the signpost.
Dash
To damn.
Smash
(Sports) A forceful overhand stroke, as in tennis or badminton.
Dash
A swift, violent blow or stroke
Knocked the books to the floor with an impatient dash of his hand.
Smash
A violent breaking of something or the noise made by such breaking
There was a loud smash in the kitchen as the dishes fell off the shelf.
Dash
A splash
Threw a dash of water on my face.
Smash
Total defeat or destruction; ruin.
Dash
A small amount of an added ingredient
A dash of sherry.
Smash
Financial failure; bankruptcy.
Dash
A quick stroke, as with a pencil or brush.
Smash
A drink made of mint, sugar, soda water, and alcoholic liquor, usually brandy.
Dash
A sudden movement; a rush
Made a dash for the exit.
Smash
A soft drink made of crushed fruit.
Dash
(Sports) A footrace, usually less than a quarter-mile long, run at top speed from the outset.
Smash
(Informal) A resounding success
The play was a smash on Broadway.
Dash
A spirited quality in action or style; verve.
Smash
Of, relating to, or being a resounding success
A smash hit on Broadway.
Dash
Either of two symbols, an emdash or an endash, used in writing and in printing.
Smash
With a sudden violent crash.
Dash
In Morse and similar codes, the long sound or signal used in combination with the dot and silent intervals to represent letters or numbers.
Smash
The sound of a violent impact; a violent striking together.
I could hear the screech of the brakes, then the horrible smash of cars colliding.
Dash
A dashboard.
Smash
A traffic collision.
The driver and two passengers were badly injured in the smash.
Dash
(typography) Any of the following symbols: ‒ (figure dash), – (en dash), — (em dash), or ― (horizontal bar).
Smash
(colloquial) Something very successful or popular (as music, food, fashion, etc).
This new show is sure to be a smash.
Dash
(computing) A hyphen or minus sign.
Smash
(tennis) A very hard overhead shot hit sharply downward.
A smash may not be as pretty as a good half volley, but it can still win points.
Dash
(by extension) The longer of the two symbols of Morse code.
Smash
A bankruptcy.
Dash
A short run, flight.
When the feds came they did the dash.
Smash
A disaster; a bad situation.
Dash
A rushing or violent onset.
Smash
A mashed foodstuff.
Dash
Violent strike; a whack.
Smash
A kind of julep cocktail containing chunks of fresh fruit that can be eaten after finishing the drink.
Dash
A small quantity of a liquid substance etc.; less than 1/8 of a teaspoon.
Add a dash of vinegar.
Smash
Airspeed; dynamic pressure.
Dash
A slight admixture.
There is a dash of craziness in his personality.
Smash
(transitive) To break (something brittle) violently.
The demolition team smashed the buildings to rubble.
The flying rock smashed the window to pieces.
Dash
Ostentatious vigor.
Aren't we full of dash this morning?
Smash
(intransitive) To be destroyed by being smashed.
The crockery smashed as it hit the floor.
Dash
A dashboard.
Smash
(transitive) To hit extremely hard.
He smashed his head against the table.
Bonds smashed the ball 467 feet, the second longest home run in the history of the park.
Dash
A bribe or gratuity; a gift.
Smash
To ruin completely and suddenly.
The news smashed any hopes of a reunion.
Dash
A stand-in for a censored word, like "Devil" or "damn". (Compare deuce.)
Smash
To defeat overwhelmingly; to gain a comprehensive success over.
The Indians smashed the Yankees 22-0.
I really smashed that English exam.
Dash
The dashboard of a Tumblr user.
Smash
To deform through continuous pressure.
I slowly smashed the modeling clay flat with the palm of my hand.
Dash
(intransitive) To run quickly or for a short distance.
He dashed across the field.
Smash
To have sexual intercourse with.
Would you smash her?
Dash
To leave or depart.
I have to dash now. See you soon.
Smash
To break in pieces by violence; to dash to pieces; to crush.
Here everything is broken and smashed to pieces.
Dash
(transitive) To destroy by striking (against).
He dashed the bottle against the bar and turned about to fight.
Smash
To hit (the ball) from above the level of the net with a very hard overhand stroke.
Dash
(transitive) To throw violently.
The man was dashed from the vehicle during the accident.
Smash
To break up, or to pieces suddenly, as the result of collision or pressure.
Dash
To sprinkle; to splatter.
Smash
A breaking or dashing to pieces; utter destruction; wreck.
Dash
To mix, reduce, or adulterate, by throwing in something of an inferior quality.
To dash wine with water
Smash
Hence, bankruptcy.
Dash
To ruin; to destroy.
Her hopes were dashed when she saw the damage.
Smash
A vigorous blow;
The sudden knock floored him
He took a bash right in his face
He got a bang on the head
Dash
(transitive) To dishearten; to sadden.
Her thoughts were dashed to melancholy.
Smash
A serious collision (especially of motor vehicles)
Dash
To complete hastily.
He dashed down his eggs.
She dashed off her homework.
Smash
A hard return hitting the tennis ball above your head
Dash
(transitive) To draw or write quickly; jot.
Smash
The act of colliding with something;
His crash through the window
The fullback's smash into the defensive line
Dash
Damn in forming oaths.
Dash his impudence! Who is that scoundrel?
Smash
A conspicuous success;
That song was his first hit and marked the beginning of his career
That new Broadway show is a real smasher
The party went with a bang
Dash
(euphemistic) Damn!
Smash
Hit hard;
He smashed a 3-run homer
Dash
To throw with violence or haste; to cause to strike violently or hastily; - often used with against.
If you dash a stone against a stone in the botton of the water, it maketh a sound.
Smash
Break into pieces, as by striking or knocking over;
Smash a plate
Dash
To break, as by throwing or by collision; to shatter; to crust; to frustrate; to ruin.
Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
A brave vessel, . . . Dashed all to pieces.
To perplex and dashMaturest counsels.
Smash
Reduce to bankruptcy;
My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!
The slump in the financial markets smashed him
Dash
To put to shame; to confound; to confuse; to abash; to depress.
Dash the proud gamester in his gilded car.
Smash
Hit violently;
She smashed her car against the guard rail
Dash
To throw in or on in a rapid, careless manner; to mix, reduce, or adulterate, by throwing in something of an inferior quality; to overspread partially; to bespatter; to touch here and there; as, to dash wine with water; to dash paint upon a picture.
I take care to dash the character with such particular circumstance as may prevent ill-natured applications.
The very source and fount of dayIs dashed with wandering isles of night.
Smash
Humiliate or depress completely;
She was crushed by his refusal of her invitation
The death of her son smashed her
Dash
To form or sketch rapidly or carelessly; to execute rapidly, or with careless haste; - with off; as, to dash off a review or sermon.
Smash
Damage or destroy as if by violence;
The teenager banged up the car of his mother
Dash
To erase by a stroke; to strike out; knock out; - with out; as, to dash out a word.
Smash
Hit (a tennis ball) in a powerful overhead stroke
Dash
To rush with violence; to move impetuously; to strike violently; as, the waves dash upon rocks.
[He] dashed through thick and thin.
On each hand the gushing waters play,And down the rough cascade all dashing fall.
Smash
Collide or strike violently and suddenly;
The motorcycle smashed into the guard rail
Dash
Violent striking together of two bodies; collision; crash.
Smash
Overthrow or destroy (something considered evil or harmful);
The police smashed the drug ring after they were tipped off
Dash
A sudden check; abashment; frustration; ruin; as, his hopes received a dash.
Smash
Break suddenly into pieces, as from a violent blow;
The window smashed
Dash
A slight admixture, infusion, or adulteration; a partial overspreading; as, wine with a dash of water; red with a dash of purple.
Innocence when it has in it a dash of folly.
Smash
With a loud crash;
The car went smash through the fence
Dash
A rapid movement, esp. one of short duration; a quick stroke or blow; a sudden onset or rush; as, a bold dash at the enemy; a dash of rain.
She takes upon her bravely at first dash.
Smash
To break something into pieces with force.
He accidentally smashed the vase.
Dash
Energy in style or action; animation; spirit.
Smash
A successful hit or song.
The new single is a smash hit on the charts.
Dash
A vain show; a blustering parade; a flourish; as, to make or cut a great dash.
Smash
A strong or violent blow.
The boxer delivered a smash to his opponent.
Dash
A mark or line [-], in writing or printing, denoting a sudden break, stop, or transition in a sentence, or an abrupt change in its construction, a long or significant pause, or an unexpected or epigrammatic turn of sentiment. Dashes are also sometimes used instead of marks or parenthesis.
Smash
To collide with something forcefully.
The car smashed into the tree.
Dash
The sign of staccato, a small mark [ ] denoting that the note over which it is placed is to be performed in a short, distinct manner.
Dash
A short, spirited effort or trial of speed upon a race course; - used in horse racing, when a single trial constitutes the race.
Dash
Distinctive and stylish elegance;
He wooed her with the confident dash of a cavalry officer
Dash
A quick run
Dash
A footrace run at top speed;
He is preparing for the 100-yard dash
Dash
A punctuation mark (-) used between parts of a compound word or between the syllables of a word when the word is divided at the end of a line of text
Dash
The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code
Dash
The act of moving with great haste;
He made a dash for the door
Dash
Run or move very quickly or hastily;
She dashed into the yard
Dash
Break into pieces, as by striking or knocking over;
Smash a plate
Dash
Hurl or thrust violently;
He dashed the plate against the wall
Waves were dashing against the rock
Dash
Destroy or break;
Dashed ambitions and hopes
Dash
Cause to lose courage;
Dashed by the refusal
Dash
Add an enlivening or altering element to;
Blue paint dashed with white
Dash
A quick movement.
She dashed the glass against the wall.
Dash
He made a dash for the exit.
To throw violently.
Dash
A small amount of an ingredient.
His dreams were dashed by the news.
Dash
Add a dash of pepper to the soup.
To ruin or destroy hopes.
FAQs
Can Dash and Smash be used as verbs?
Yes, both can be verbs. To dash means to run swiftly, and to smash means to break forcefully.
Does Smash always imply breaking?
No, it can also denote a forceful impact or success.
How does Dash relate to quantity?
It can mean a small amount, like a dash of salt.
Is dashing an adjective?
Yes, it can describe someone who is stylish or attractive.
Is smashing a term of approval?
Yes, in informal contexts, "smashing" can mean excellent.
Can Smash refer to a success?
Yes, especially in entertainment, a hit can be referred to as a "smash."
Is a dash a punctuation mark?
Yes, it's a horizontal mark used to separate words or parts of a sentence.
Can Dash indicate urgency?
Yes, someone making a dash usually conveys urgency.
Can Smash be a term in sports?
Yes, especially in tennis, a forceful overhead shot is called a smash.
What's a dash's role in literature?
It can indicate a pause, change in thought, or emphasize information.
Is a smash always loud?
Not necessarily, but the force involved often produces noise.
Can dash mean to destroy?
In a sense, yes. Especially hopes or plans can be "dashed."
Can something smash without breaking?
It's possible, especially if referring to a collision without shattering.
Is Smash synonymous with crash?
They're similar, but smash emphasizes breaking, while crash emphasizes collision.
What's a double dash in writing?
It's called an em dash, used for emphasis or to indicate a break in thought.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
