1
as in collapsing
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 devoting
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
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Recent Examples of buckling
At the end of season one, Dana was experiencing an existential crisis; her decades-long dedication to the ER was buckling under the brutal realities of the modern health care system, compounded by a violent attack by a disgruntled patient.
—
Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
Before dying of cancer in 2013, Chávez handpicked Maduro as his successor, entrusting him with a country already buckling under the weight of dependence on oil, and the realization that prosperity was coming to an end.
—Jorge Valencia, NPR, 5 Jan. 2026
Citing a 45% increase in the unhoused population in the state, a scarcity of resources and an affordable housing crisis, the homeless response system is buckling under the strain, advocates for the homeless say.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 2 Jan. 2026
The economy is buckling under a handful of pressures, and employment is suffering as a result.
—Essence, 2 Jan. 2026
And then also trying to fill a gap are nonprofits who seem to be buckling under the growing need for assistance.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
The country was already buckling under decades of financial mismanagement, an upside-down tax system, obstructionist high courts, and a monarchy unwilling to modernize.
—Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 29 Dec. 2025
Furthermore, the research showed that structural irregularities — such as buckling and lattice contraction — are inherent characteristics of the material rather than manufacturing errors.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
At its center is a story of two parents buckling under the weight of unfathomable loss.
—Nathan Smith, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
Before dying of cancer in 2013, Chávez handpicked Maduro as his successor, entrusting him with a country already buckling under the weight of dependence on oil, and the realization that prosperity was coming to an end.
—Jorge Valencia, NPR, 5 Jan. 2026
Citing a 45% increase in the unhoused population in the state, a scarcity of resources and an affordable housing crisis, the homeless response system is buckling under the strain, advocates for the homeless say.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 2 Jan. 2026
The economy is buckling under a handful of pressures, and employment is suffering as a result.
—Essence, 2 Jan. 2026
And then also trying to fill a gap are nonprofits who seem to be buckling under the growing need for assistance.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
The country was already buckling under decades of financial mismanagement, an upside-down tax system, obstructionist high courts, and a monarchy unwilling to modernize.
—Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 29 Dec. 2025
Furthermore, the research showed that structural irregularities — such as buckling and lattice contraction — are inherent characteristics of the material rather than manufacturing errors.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
At its center is a story of two parents buckling under the weight of unfathomable loss.
—Nathan Smith, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buckling
Verb
-
The soil is collapsing, leaving something resembling large puddles among the freshwater marshes.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
At the same time, a currency collapsing under international sanctions, water shortages and recurring power outages have sharpened a sense of crisis across the country.—
Roxana Saberi,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Then there is the steady stream of profiles on tech billionaires joylessly devoting themselves to maximizing their lifespan.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
-
From the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal to CNN and even Fox News, nearly all the country’s major newsrooms are in the thrall of this vision of politics, devoting untold amounts of energy to technocratic commentary and polling.—
Jason Blakely,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The sixth inning also featured a frightening moment when Cleveland’s David Fry, squaring around to bunt, took a 99 mph fastball from Skubal off his face, crumpling to the dirt as Skubal reacted with distress.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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Singh’s truck blocked both lanes of the northbound Turnpike, leading the Chrysler Town & Country minivan the three friends were riding in to slam into the semi’s 18-wheeler trailer, crumpling underneath it.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Regularly applying sealer to your grout and keeping the area clean is your best chance at preventing mold and mildew growth along your grout.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
My hair feels brittle, my skin is dry from the cold weather, and my makeup is not applying right.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The announcement could be the first sign that the new government is open to returning some freedom of expression to the country, and bending to pressure from opposition groups and the American government.—
Carmen Sesin,
NBC news,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Pull your breastbone toward the bar by bending your elbows.—
Greg Presto,
Outside,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If Carolina is thinking about the big picture, giving Coker the extra year, perhaps valued as a first- or second-round tender, is just getting ahead of a formality.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
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Luckily, Madewell is giving us something to celebrate this season with a surprise sale on cold-weather clothing essentials with prices starting as low as $20.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buckling. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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