1
as in collapsed
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in devoted
to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention
buckled himself down and finished the assignment in record time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 buckled
If children aren’t properly buckled, the driver faces fines up to $250.
—
Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
The Fire Marshal's Office said while more than 100 people gathered in a building called the Sap House at the venue, the floor buckled creating a 20-foot by 20-foot opening and sending about 70 people into the basement.
—CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Tagliafico was sent off in the 89th for a violent lunge on Lamine Camara, whose left foot buckled under him.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Airports have recently buckled under the funding gap, with travelers suffering through long lines at security checkpoints as agents call out of work rather than toil without pay.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
Other cryptocurrencies have also buckled.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
Stay in the vehicle with their seatbelt buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
The month before, Paramount buckled to Trump in a $16 million suit over a 2024 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, which the President alleged was edited to swing the election in her favor.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
The look still embraces the fisherman aesthetic, but the open front and buckled back strap create a more flattering silhouette that will add the right amount of polish and sophistication to all of your summer linen.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
The Fire Marshal's Office said while more than 100 people gathered in a building called the Sap House at the venue, the floor buckled creating a 20-foot by 20-foot opening and sending about 70 people into the basement.
—CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Tagliafico was sent off in the 89th for a violent lunge on Lamine Camara, whose left foot buckled under him.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Airports have recently buckled under the funding gap, with travelers suffering through long lines at security checkpoints as agents call out of work rather than toil without pay.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
Other cryptocurrencies have also buckled.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
Stay in the vehicle with their seatbelt buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
The month before, Paramount buckled to Trump in a $16 million suit over a 2024 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, which the President alleged was edited to swing the election in her favor.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
The look still embraces the fisherman aesthetic, but the open front and buckled back strap create a more flattering silhouette that will add the right amount of polish and sophistication to all of your summer linen.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buckled
Verb
-
Some players collapsed onto the turf in joyful tears.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Estrada Juarez collapsed into her daughter’s embrace.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So devoted her allowance along with donations from the District 148 board to get the project rolling.—
Janice Neumann,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Aleksei stopped working and devoted his full attention to his sons and their hockey development, leaving Olga to support the family.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The injury occurred on a breakaway in Dallas last Monday, leaving Moody crumpled on the floor and requiring a stretcher.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Boz just towers over her, is confident and assured as always, and Rachel is all crumpled up and just wants to get out of there.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Eco effort The hotel has applied for its LEED assessment following the adoption of a number of sustainability and energy-saving measures during the property’s renovation and current operations.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment by Boston EMS after the officers applied tourniquets to their wounds, BPD said.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Stock markets have tumbled, and recession odds have climbed.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, stocks have tumbled.—
Jay Ganglani,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Acuña’s legs contributed to Vargas’ sixth RBI, which gave the Sox a 9-3 lead.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The news didn't impact Chicago early, as an uncontested one-handed slam by Matas Buzelis gave the Bulls an early 5-2 lead and led to an angry timeout by Spurs coach Mitch Johnson 71 seconds into the game.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buckled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buckled. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
