as in failing
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1
as in crumpling
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flopping
to be unsuccessful
the legal case collapsed in the face of the opposition's evidence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in compressing
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of collapsing
Joe Toscano, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
At one point, collapsing from sheer exhaustion.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 19 June 2026
In a world of collapsing trust in public-facing institutions, voters say they are drawn by Reform’s promises of a radical change from the old Labour-Conservative Party duopoly.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 18 June 2026
But collapsing into a debate about purity is distressing.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 18 June 2026
How there was no trash in the streets, how the streets weren’t broken, how the buildings weren’t collapsing, how this was one of the richest societies in Latin America.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
In recent weeks, Iran has dramatically escalated efforts to seal off its cache of near bomb-grade uranium, deliberately collapsing tunnels and booby-trapping entrances with explosive mines, according to five sources familiar with US intelligence.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Turkey has a rich history of collapsing under expectation, but that could change this summer — Yildiz is the centerpiece of an exciting, dynamic, possibly history-busting young core.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
Washington, which had already clinched its fifth consecutive road series win, was on the verge of finishing a 5-1 trip before collapsing in the ninth.
—CBS News, 10 June 2026
Verb
The finding lands in a labor market that has cooled without collapsing.
—Joe Toscano, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
At one point, collapsing from sheer exhaustion.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 19 June 2026
In a world of collapsing trust in public-facing institutions, voters say they are drawn by Reform’s promises of a radical change from the old Labour-Conservative Party duopoly.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 18 June 2026
But collapsing into a debate about purity is distressing.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 18 June 2026
How there was no trash in the streets, how the streets weren’t broken, how the buildings weren’t collapsing, how this was one of the richest societies in Latin America.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
In recent weeks, Iran has dramatically escalated efforts to seal off its cache of near bomb-grade uranium, deliberately collapsing tunnels and booby-trapping entrances with explosive mines, according to five sources familiar with US intelligence.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Turkey has a rich history of collapsing under expectation, but that could change this summer — Yildiz is the centerpiece of an exciting, dynamic, possibly history-busting young core.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
Washington, which had already clinched its fifth consecutive road series win, was on the verge of finishing a 5-1 trip before collapsing in the ninth.
—CBS News, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapsing
Adjective
-
The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.—
Noah Alcala Bach,
San Antonio Express-News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Moses Moody scored 23 points before crumpling to the floor with an apparently serious left knee injury late in overtime as the Golden State Warriors beat Dallas 137-131 on Monday night, extending the Mavericks' home losing streak to 12 games, their longest in 32 years.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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Late on, with the game already won, James Garner and substitute Merlin Rohl chased Enzo Fernandez, sending him crumpling to the turf.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Plus, the minuscule fines, when they are applied, aren't going to deter millionaires from flopping to get cheap free throws.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
Plant peonies in partial sun and stake them early to prevent flopping and extend bloom quality.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Quantum computing is compressing the half-life of the cryptographic standards the financial system runs on.—
Jacob D. Frankel,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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But Cape Verde simply did not wilt in a solid, switched-on 4-5-1 defensive shape, compressing space between the lines and defending heroically in their own penalty area to keep the European Champions at bay, and committing only one foul in the process — the fewest ever recorded in a World Cup game.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Complete your outdoor overhaul with more favorite patio furniture finds below, including a warm wooden deck box that doubles as a bench, a cocoon-like lounger that gently rocks, and a folding Adirondack chair that’s actually comfortable.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 May 2026
-
Their laundry room was filled with bright colors and ample folding space.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The records keep tumbling in for Smriti Mandhana.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
9 June 2026
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Investors have fled Jakarta’s equity markets since the start of the year, with the Jakarta Composite tumbling over 35% year to date.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The officials described Pakistan’s monthslong effort leading the negotiations, struggling to keep both sides from walking out of the room and a total collapse of the negotiations on multiple occasions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
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The third spot, initially expected to go to Martín Zubimendi, now looks more likely to be Fabián Ruiz for the Cape Verde opener, with De la Fuente pragmatic about rotating in the early group games and with Zubimendi struggling for form later on in the club season.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
County officials pointed to state budget cuts and a $276,000 drop in liquor revenue as factors squeezing finances.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
18 June 2026
-
Grip the handles on the sides of the machine, tighten your core, and extend your legs, squeezing your quadriceps (top thigh muscles) at the top.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Collapsing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapsing. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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