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implode

verb
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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 USA TODAY Travelers picked an airline once known for its no-frills service as their top choice for overall satisfaction in a new J.D. Power survey released Wednesday – but the results poured in largely before coronavirus fears imploded air travel. — Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY, "Before COVID-19 stopped the world, Southwest was voted best airline in this survey," 27 May 2020 On one level, that’s obvious: valuations in global financial markets have imploded, with many suffering their sharpest declines in decades. — The Economist, "The world after covid-19 By invitation: Mark Carney on how the economy must yield to human values," 16 Apr. 2020 Hassler lifted the order altogether on Feb. 1, 1919, perhaps not coincidentally the day that the Anti-Mask League imploded at a final meeting. — Peter Hartlaub, SFChronicle.com, "Anti-Mask League: San Francisco had its own shutdown protests during 1918 pandemic," 8 May 2020 While the United States struggles with surging cases of the coronavirus and life-or-death decisions in a fast imploding health care system, citizens stranded thousands of miles away fear that they may be left behind. — Bhadra Sharma, New York Times, "Stranded Abroad, Americans Ask: Why Weren’t We Warned Sooner?," 3 Apr. 2020 Every financial asset is falling at once, and the economy itself seems to be imploding. — Jason Zweig, WSJ, "This Is Your Brain on a Crashing Stock Market," 19 Mar. 2020 All of them saw their careers implode and legacies tarnished in 2017 or 2018. — Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Artists implicated by #MeToo and scandals are making comebacks. Should audiences and venues welcome them back?," 12 Feb. 2020 The former Affiliated Computer Services building at North Central Expressway and Haskell Avenue will be imploded next month by owner De La Vega Development. — Steve Brown, Dallas News, "Boom! High-rise north of downtown Dallas will be imploded," 22 Jan. 2020 Perhaps not coincidentally, there was some schadenfreude in the air when Woodstock 50 imploded. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Harry Styles’s Conscientious Remix of Baby Boomer Culture," 20 Dec. 2019

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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First Known Use of implode

1881, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

History and Etymology for implode

in- entry 2 + -plode (as in explode)

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Time Traveler for implode

Time Traveler

The first known use of implode was in 1881

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Statistics for implode

Last Updated

31 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Implode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/implode. Accessed 1 Jun. 2020.

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More Definitions for implode

implode

verb
How to pronounce implode (audio)

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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More from Merriam-Webster on implode

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for implode

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with implode

Spanish Central: Translation of implode

Nglish: Translation of implode for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of implode for Arabic Speakers

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