1
as in to tumble
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure
the motel balcony collapsed under the weight of so many people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to fail
to be unsuccessful
the legal case collapsed in the face of the opposition's evidence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to compress
to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together
the novel collapses events from four separate trips into one long odyssey
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in exhaustion
a complete depletion of energy or strength
suffered a mental collapse under the strain of studying for his bar exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in defeat
a falling short of one's goals
the complete collapse of the invasion set off a round of finger-pointing and recrimination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of collapse
Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2025
Bentaleb collapsed in June during a game of five-a-side football, according to media reports in France.
—Sam Joseph, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
Kyiv knew the Trump team’s rhetoric on the campaign trail spelt a likely sea change for Ukraine, but held out hope, with European allies, that Trump would seek to avoid an Kabul Airport Moment of collapse in security on the continent, and keep Russia back.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Verb
Its last time on the court, Maryland women’s basketball collapsed in the second half en route to a 20-point home loss to an unranked opponent.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2025
Bentaleb collapsed in June during a game of five-a-side football, according to media reports in France.
—Sam Joseph, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
The plant was fully evacuated before the collapse after employees heard the ceiling crack.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
Kyiv knew the Trump team’s rhetoric on the campaign trail spelt a likely sea change for Ukraine, but held out hope, with European allies, that Trump would seek to avoid an Kabul Airport Moment of collapse in security on the continent, and keep Russia back.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapse
Verb
-
Tesla , whose Full Self-Driving has yet to get China’s approval, saw its shares tumble on Tuesday following the news of BYD’s driver-assist rollout.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Corbiere slipped and then tumbled over the edge and down into a ravine.—
Khloe Quill,
Fox News,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Oilers failed to shut down Michkov, though, who had his second career 3-point effort and could be rejuvenated for the stretch run.—
Kevin Kurz,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Beginning of the conflict On Jan. 10, while the flames were still raging out of control, Crowley gave an extraordinary television interview, telling a Fox 11 reporter that the city of Los Angeles — and by implication her boss, Bass — failed her and her department.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Researchers grew a synthetic diamond that’s harder than natural ones by heating and compressing graphite in such a way that the diamond is formed with a hexagonal lattice, rather than the cubic shape found in nature.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
-
In addition to a side-access zipper, these packing cubes can be packed from the elastic top access opening and compressed with a strap that has an adjustable buckle.—
Mike Arnot,
AFAR Media,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Nor is stealth aided by growing evidence of his own neglectful self-care: exhaustion, panic attacks, blackouts, a limp from unattended jogging injuries, eventually audio and visual hallucinations.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
-
However, the Magnificent 7 stocks have seen internal bifurcation in 2025, showing signs of exhaustion.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Clement described Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to St Mirren as the worst performance of his tenure and fan sentiment has soured in recent weeks.—
Jordan Campbell,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
-
New York’s season-worst 142-105 defeat at the hands of the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers was more than just a bad night.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
This goes for the show's host, Kevin O'Connor, and its core cast of experts — Tom Silva, Richard Trethewey and Jenn Nawada — and for members of production who are behind the scenes.—
Maddie McGay,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The Vatican said in a statement on Monday morning that for Francis, the night had gone well.—
Emma Bubola,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Related Articles Big Oakland hotel flops into loan default as local lodging woes widen Iconic San Jose hotel open as renovations get underway Berkeley losing money due to poor lease management practices, audit finds Decades later, the mountain remains vulnerable to development pressures.—
Ryan Macasero,
The Mercury News,
13 Feb. 2025
-
If Hicks flops in the spring and is offered back to the Tigers — and if Ramirez begins the season at Triple A — then the Marlins will need to claim a veteran backup because Jhonny Pereda was traded to the Athletics last Friday.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
These are dunked in grapefruit ponzu or spicy kimchi dressing or simply squeezed with lemon.—
John Metcalfe,
The Mercury News,
14 Feb. 2025
-
It’s further squeezed by competition from others in the space, including Etsy, Michael’s and Hobby Lobby, as well as big-box and online retailers such as Amazon and Walmart.—
Caroline Petrow-Cohen,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Collapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapse. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share