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 every level − executive, judicial, legislative, corporate, institutional, media − every single guardrail that is supposed to protect our democracy is buckling.
—
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
At every level—executive, judicial, legislative, corporate, institutional, media—every single guardrail that is supposed to protect our democracy is buckling.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2025
Even without an accident, other Tesla owners have reported having to break their own car windows after buckling their children in and then being unable to get in the car again, according to an investigation launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, citing owner complaints.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Instead of buckling to the pressure, McCarthy and company marched down the field and put together three impressive scoring drives.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The despite being at less than capacity, the report reveals a facility buckling under the weight of a healthcare crisis, severe staffing shortages, and systemic safety lapses.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The teens star in a series of nine videos that teach kids everything from buckling a seat belt properly to crossing the street safely.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2025
But that delicate ecosystem is now buckling under the weight of new federal policy.
—Amy Harclerode, New York Daily News, 8 Aug. 2025
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
At every level—executive, judicial, legislative, corporate, institutional, media—every single guardrail that is supposed to protect our democracy is buckling.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2025
Even without an accident, other Tesla owners have reported having to break their own car windows after buckling their children in and then being unable to get in the car again, according to an investigation launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, citing owner complaints.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Instead of buckling to the pressure, McCarthy and company marched down the field and put together three impressive scoring drives.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The despite being at less than capacity, the report reveals a facility buckling under the weight of a healthcare crisis, severe staffing shortages, and systemic safety lapses.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The teens star in a series of nine videos that teach kids everything from buckling a seat belt properly to crossing the street safely.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2025
But that delicate ecosystem is now buckling under the weight of new federal policy.
—Amy Harclerode, New York Daily News, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buckling
Verb
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Those traditional systems are now collapsing alongside aquifers, and ancient settlements in Yazd in central Iran, Kerman in southeast Iran, and Khorasan in northeastern Iran have been abandoned as qanats dried up, aquifers caved in, and land subsided.—
Nik Kowsar,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
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Some of the homes now collapsing were once a few lots back from the beach, local residents told USA TODAY.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Michaels is devoting about 25% of space in its stores to this new venture while also launching a party concept.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Already, boards are devoting more time and attention to discussing the use of AI within their organizations, including more than 62% of directors who reported participating in full-board discussions about AI policies for their companies.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 Sep. 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
-
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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Starting on Friday, anyone interested in applying for the role as interim county executive can apply on the county clerk’s website, submitting a short application and resume, McGee said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
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While applying pre-emergent herbicides in September or October is the best defense against these weeds, mowing in late fall and winter can help manage any that appear after the herbicide window.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ross is also taller, giving officers more viewing coverage above crowds than Walking Horses, which can be as short as 14 hands, or 4 feet, 9 inches tall.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
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Free friendship bracelets at Insomnia Cookies Meanwhile, Insomnia Cookies is giving customers free friendship bracelets for the day.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That prior nod now tees them up for Grammy voters, as do their genre-bending sophomore album, Submarine, captivating frontwoman (María Zardoya) and star-making set at Coachella 2025.—
Lori Majewski,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
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Even crows craft tools, bending twigs to similar ends.—
Harmon Siegel,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buckling. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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