buckle 1 of 2

verb

Definition of bucklenext
1
as in to collapse
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure the flimsy bridge buckled under the weight of the caravan of trucks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to devote
to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention buckled himself down and finished the assignment in record time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

buckle

2 of 2

noun

as in loop

Related Words

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 buckle
Verb
Construction sites have lots of mishaps, big and small, but columns don’t buckle halfway up skyscrapers. — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 11 July 2026 The off-limits area was later scaled back after work crews braced the buckling beams. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026
Noun
The foldover closure and adjustable buckle strap keep your belongings secure on the go. — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 16 July 2026 The sparkling footwear featured a thick strap across the toes, transitioning into thinner straps that secured the shoe to Biles’ ankles with buckle closures. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for buckle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buckle
  1. collapse
  2. devote
  3. loop
  4. go
  5. apply
  6. fold
  7. give
  8. spiral
Verb
  • Chuanjun warned that heavy rain and extreme weather conditions could put additional areas alongside the mountain near the initial landslide at risk of collapsing.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026
  • By the time his candidacy collapsed, the time required to mount an effective alternative had largely disappeared.
    — Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • The New Evidence also devotes time to the defense theory that Laci encountered the burglars who robbed the home of across-the-street neighbors Rudy and Susan Medina.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026
  • That diminished the only federal agency devoted solely to helping local election officials prepare for the 2026 midterms.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Definition of devote
Noun
  • Ask about restraint systems, since grooming loops and harnesses should secure the animal without causing stress or restricting breathing.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026
  • Researchers also aim to integrate the sensing-actuation loop directly into soft robots, enabling instinctive responses, while using its rich force signals to improve perception and interaction in complex environments.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Definition of loop
Verb
  • The whole scene looks like Carmy went full Dexter on the back of house crew.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • Over the past week, the conflict between the United States and Iran has gone from a simmering tit-for-tat to something that much more resembles all-out war.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of go
Verb
  • The tariff will apply to a host of Brazilian products, but will exempt certain major exports including coffee, beef, avocados, Brazil nuts, petroleum oils and aircraft parts, according to a notice published by the Office of the USTR.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • More than 36,000 people have applied since online submissions opened May 1 via Mnet Plus, with almost a third of applicants coming from the Americas.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 July 2026
Definition of apply
Noun
  • Boshoff previously reported on an effort by Harry and by some royal aides to bring him back into the royal fold.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
  • This can be done with one, two, or three folds of fabric in each pleat.
    — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 16 July 2026
Definition of fold
Verb
  • Newcastle cannot reach the top as quickly as initially hoped post-takeover, given the financial constraints.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • And when given the opportunity, Andrew, 17, enjoys learning about computers, their functioning and how to troubleshoot technical issues.
    — The Star, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
Definition of give
Noun
  • The residual atmosphere at 22,000 miles is almost non-existent, meaning there is no air drag to force the orbital clutter spiral into the atmosphere and burn up.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 13 July 2026
  • The Vampire Lestat, the first-ever onscreen rendering of Rice’s beloved second book, premiered this summer, and finds the lovers on the outs once again, sending Lestat into a self-destructive spiral that spans the bulk of the new season.
    — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
Definition of spiral

Browse Nearby Words

bucking up
buckle
buckled
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Cite this Entry

“Buckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buckle. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on buckle

Nglish: Translation of buckle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buckle

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