implode

verb

im·plode | \ im-ˈplōd

How to pronounce implode (audio)

\

imploded; imploding

Definition of implode

intransitive verb

1a : 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 in a Sentence

a controlled demolition during which the entire building imploded in a matter of seconds

Recent Examples on the Web

Last year, Gray might have imploded in the first inning with a couple runners aboard — as happened in his start on Monday at Oracle Park. — Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, "With a “complete switch” in mindset, Jon Gray’s become the unexpected co-ace of Rockies’ rotation," 25 June 2019 But the Hudson's store closed in 1983, was imploded in 1998, and the site contained nothing more than an underground parking lot for decades until Dan Gilbert's Bedrock broke ground there in late 2017 for what will be Detroit's tallest building. — John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "Royal Oak property sat empty for decades. Here's why — and what's moving in.," 18 June 2019 Industrial companies don’t implode the way financial firms do. — Spencer Jakab, WSJ, "The Case for Buying GE (Yes, Really)," 21 Nov. 2018 Ffrench used Fenty, because of course, although the exact products aren't listed (if Fenty drops a one-millimeter brow pencil next, the Internet would surely implode). — Rachel Nussbaum, Glamour, "Rihanna Brought Back Skinny Brows, and the Internet Isn't Ready," 2 Aug. 2018 Meanwhile, the Left’s serial anti-Trump narratives have imploded, one after another: Trump is a Kremlin puppet! — Deroy Murdock, National Review, "What a Year That Was," 19 Jan. 2018 Designers imploded basic silhouettes, too: At Loewe, Jonathan Anderson sliced a blazer’s sleeves into cape-like wings; and Miuccia Prada morphed traditional suiting fabrics into bustiers. — Hayley Phelan, WSJ, "The Rebellious New Power Suit for Women," 30 Aug. 2018 A year after the United States’ powerful food lobby began to implode, four of the world's largest food companies are launching an association of their own. — Caitlin Dewey, latimes.com, "Four of the biggest food companies band together to change food and farm policy," 12 July 2018 Those chains reported modest sales increases during the recent holiday quarter, while Bon-Ton continued to implode. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, "Bon-Ton Set To Become the Latest Retailer to Go Out of Business Entirely," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'implode.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near implode

implicit differentiation

implicit function

Statistics for implode

Last Updated

13 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for implode

The first known use of implode was in 1881

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More Definitions for implode

implode

verb

English Language Learners Definition of implode

: to collapse inward in a very sudden and violent way

See the full definition for implode in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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