implode

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verb im·plode \im-ˈplōd\

: to collapse inward in a very sudden and violent way

im·plod·edim·plod·ing

Full Definition of IMPLODE

intransitive verb

1

a :  to burst inward <a blow causing a vacuum tube to implode>

b :  to undergo violent compression <massive stars which implode>

2

:  to collapse inward as if from external pressure; also :  to become greatly reduced as if from collapsing

3

:  to break down or fall apart from within :  self-destruct <the firm … imploded from greed and factionalism — Jan Hoffman>

transitive verb

:  to cause to implode

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Examples of IMPLODE

1. <a controlled demolition during which the entire building imploded in a matter of seconds>

Origin of IMPLODE

²in- + -plode (as in explode)

First Known Use: 1881

Related to IMPLODE

Synonyms

buckle, cave (in), crumple, founder, give, go, go out, collapse, tumble, yield

Related Words

deflate, flatten, melt, melt down; break, break down, conk (out), crash, die, fail, give out, stall; burst, shatter, smash, splinter, split; crack, crumble, pop, snap

Near Antonyms

inflate, rise, swell

Rhymes with IMPLODE

abode, anode, bar code, boatload, busload, byroad, carload, cartload, caseload, cathode, church mode, commode, corrode, crossroad, dead load, decode, diode, displode, download, dress code, dynode, embowed, encode, epode, erode, explode, forebode, freeload, front-load, geode, high road, inroad, live load, lymph node, no-load, off-load, outmode, payload, planeload, postcode, post road, railroad, rhapsode, sarod, shipload, side road, Silk Road, skid road, source code, spring-load, square-toed, tetrode, threnode, trainload, triode, truckload, unload, upload, zip code