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
When a fire tore through Kantamanto that January, devouring eight acres, or nearly 60 percent of the market’s retail-facing side, the community of 30,000 retailers, traders and vendors all but lost hope in a business model that was already buckling under fashion’s ever-quickening pace.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 June 2026
But property owners buckling under financial pressure isn’t necessarily justice.
—Jeremy Talcott, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Getty Images At a time when Hollywood is buckling under the weight of one remake after another, a new film has taken the industry by storm.
—Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Debris pummels Rodney Stover’s back, buckling him to his knees.
—Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Critical infrastructure, including hospitals, is also buckling, and doctors are struggling to provide even basic medical care.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 14 May 2026
Transmission and cost crunch The physical grid is buckling under the same pressure.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
Retí’s is the standout performance, cogently mapping a mother’s tenacity buckling under a mounting feeling of helplessness at watching her child disappear into a mystery.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Outcry over the funding cuts prompted Republican lawmakers to create $50 billion in new rural health grants, but critics say that funding is intended for innovative health care delivery solutions — not propping up hospitals buckling under current pressures.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 June 2026
But property owners buckling under financial pressure isn’t necessarily justice.
—Jeremy Talcott, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Getty Images At a time when Hollywood is buckling under the weight of one remake after another, a new film has taken the industry by storm.
—Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Debris pummels Rodney Stover’s back, buckling him to his knees.
—Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Critical infrastructure, including hospitals, is also buckling, and doctors are struggling to provide even basic medical care.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 14 May 2026
Transmission and cost crunch The physical grid is buckling under the same pressure.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
Retí’s is the standout performance, cogently mapping a mother’s tenacity buckling under a mounting feeling of helplessness at watching her child disappear into a mystery.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Outcry over the funding cuts prompted Republican lawmakers to create $50 billion in new rural health grants, but critics say that funding is intended for innovative health care delivery solutions — not propping up hospitals buckling under current pressures.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buckling
Verb
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In recent weeks, Iran has dramatically escalated efforts to seal off its cache of near bomb-grade uranium, deliberately collapsing tunnels and booby-trapping entrances with explosive mines, according to five sources familiar with US intelligence.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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Turkey has a rich history of collapsing under expectation, but that could change this summer — Yildiz is the centerpiece of an exciting, dynamic, possibly history-busting young core.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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That’s easier said than done, especially when organizations are devoting far more resources to AI tools than to helping employees adapt to them.—
Kristin Stoller,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
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In devoting such deep focus, Hockney, who died Thursday at the age of 88, restored something that had been lost in that original image.—
Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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In addition to rinsing off aphids, applying a soapy water solution can help get them out of your garden.—
Abby Monteil,
The Spruce,
12 June 2026
-
To recreate the look, begin by applying styling gel to your hair and then part it in the middle.—
Ranyechi Udemezue,
Vogue,
12 June 2026
Verb
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But because the crunch is such a specific movement—focused on spinal flexion, or bending the spine forward—a high crunch count doesn’t say much about how well your core can transfer force or resist unwanted movement, which are also important functions, Williams said.—
Christa Sgobba,
Health,
11 June 2026
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The stainless-steel finish is extremely durable and will last for years without bending or distorting.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Local groups Sin Tope and Making Movies performed on the festival’s main stage, giving fans a chance to decompress and have some fun, rather than stressing about their favorite team.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
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Hunter Biden has reemerged in recent weeks online, posting on X and giving interviews about his life in recovery for his substance use disorder and ensuing legal troubles created political headaches for his father.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buckling. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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