1
as in to tumble
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to fail
to be unsuccessful
the legal case collapsed in the face of the opposition's evidence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to compress
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
1
as in exhaustion
a complete depletion of energy or strength
suffered a mental collapse under the strain of studying for his bar exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in defeat
a falling short of one's goals
the complete collapse of the invasion set off a round of finger-pointing and recrimination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of collapse
Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Stone elements on windows could collapse.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
Ed Simon
september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
New York — A few months after the collapse of Joann, a former foe is reviving the crafting and fabric store’s brand name.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Verb
In a joint interview with Bill, the couple said Chris suddenly collapsed and died on May 12, just one day before his 33rd birthday.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Stone elements on windows could collapse.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
By contrast, maybe such language engenders a sense of defeatism, a belief in the inevitability of collapse which is collectively paralyzing.
—Ed Simon
september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
New York — A few months after the collapse of Joann, a former foe is reviving the crafting and fabric store’s brand name.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapse
Verb
-
Sales of electric vehicles in the United States are almost certain to tumble when the $7,500 federal tax credit for EV buyers expires on October 1, leaving automakers and car buyers wondering where prices will go.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Nvidia, along with fellow leading AI player Oracle, tumbled on worries the advance was running out of steam with the outlook already priced into the shares.—
Sean Conlon,Pia Singh,
CNBC,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The 2-point conversion attempt failed, but the Packers cut the gap to 21-6.—
Frank Rajkowski,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Lawsuits also allege Liberty Utilities and construction companies failed to mark gas lines properly and respond to the leak in time, resulting in the boys death, severe injuries and property damage.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Today's market compresses product life cycles down to quarters rather than years.—
Matthew Ross,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
In Pina and Martínez Lobato’s typical fleet fashion, the show compresses into its first six minutes the many extraordinary events of 22-year-old Max Varela’s (Pau Simón) life.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Then the man died of exhaustion.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The film gains nerve and intrigue from the palpable exhaustion — physical and emotional — in both performers at points in these rehearsals.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
His commanding position could mark a significant shift in city politics, especially considering the primary defeat of Cuomo and the presence of high-profile opponents such as incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Despite its enormity, the Peasants’ War and its bloody defeat have been forgotten in recent years.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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So if this plan goes into effect, the question of who makes up the Palestinian technocratic administration might certainly be one of the main stumbling blocks.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Lock up your ticket and go hide.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Splinter after splinter flopping onto the stone threshold, tsss, tsss, hissing like a nest of vipers.—
Zuzana Říhová,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
-
This Colombian has been flopping in the US since 2003, has apparently not had a job since 2014.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
How To Cut Okra Properly When choosing okra, pick pods that are firm but give slightly when squeezed, with a bright, even color.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
23 Sep. 2025
-
No more than the width of a credit card, bed bugs can squeeze behind electrical outlets, along window frames, under loose wallpaper and even in the head of a screw.—
Katie Nixon,
Nashville Tennessean,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Collapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapse. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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