BUCKLING Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

buckling

verb

present participle of buckle

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

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

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 buckling The discovery of the buckling columns launched a major effort to shore up — or reinforce — the building’s weakest points, with crews using emergency jacks and installing new steel supports. — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 11 July 2026 Shortly after, the Fire Department responded to a report from construction workers that some of the steel support columns on the twenty-first floor were buckling. — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 11 July 2026 The off-limits area was later scaled back after work crews braced the buckling beams. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026 Layla Taylor posted a GIF of someone buckling their seatbelt. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026 On Tuesday morning, the FDNY received reports of bricks falling from the building; inspectors found two support columns buckling on the 21st floor and floors sagging up through the 26th. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 8 July 2026 The building, as well as several nearby buildings in New York’s Midtown East neighborhood, were evacuated Tuesday morning after officials noticed support columns were buckling, while surrounding streets were closed. — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 An under-construction high-rise in Manhattan was still unstable Tuesday after buckling columns and sagging floors raised fears of a collapse, forcing the tower and other nearby buildings to evacuate, officials said. — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 SpaceX, meanwhile, is buckling under the weight of its own IPO. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 2 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buckling

Verb

In the seventh minute, Sonnett sprinted to challenge Pietra Tordin for the ball and seemed to make little contact before collapsing to the turf.

— Asli Pelit, New York Times, 25 July 2026
However, the industry recently faced a significant shakeout, with many firms collapsing amid platform crackdowns.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of collapsing

Verb

The committee’s recommendations also included devoting approximately 67% of the bond money toward maintenance, with the rest going toward student programs and technology improvements.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
Netflix’s take differentiates itself by devoting its entire first season to the earlier period.

— Judy Berman, Time, 9 July 2026

Definition of devoting

Verb

Moses Moody scored 23 points before crumpling to the floor with an apparently serious left knee injury late in overtime as the Golden State Warriors beat Dallas 137-131 on Monday night, extending the Mavericks' home losing streak to 12 games, their longest in 32 years.

— CBS News, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Late on, with the game already won, James Garner and substitute Merlin Rohl chased Enzo Fernandez, sending him crumpling to the turf.

— Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026

Definition of crumpling

Verb

Briceno recommends coating both sides of the brush, wiping away any excess, and making sure the bristles come to a clean edge before applying.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 24 July 2026
The trailer relies on a hitch coupler force sensor to provide continuous feedback on the pull on the tow vehicle, managing the trailer's movement by increasing motor output or applying the electro-mechanical brakes located at all four wheels.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 July 2026

Definition of applying

Verb

Recovery from hip or knee surgery can also make bending difficult.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026
The condition may develop from frequently bending the elbow when pulling, reaching or lifting, leaning on the elbow, or from arthritis, bone spurs and previous elbow fractures.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026

Definition of bending

Verb

The loss dropped the A’s to 45-63 and 10 games out of both the American League West lead and the final AL Wild Card spot, while giving the red-hot Red Sox (56-51) no worse than a split of the four-game series ahead of Thursday’s finale.

— Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Head coach Andy Reid and Mahomes could be seen giving Royals instruction after the play.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026