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
The precious metal is now buckling a bit.
—
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
Even large value retailers are buckling now.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Over-Fussing with the Menu Southerners can be guilty of always assuming there needs to be a table buckling under the weight of food, but there is no need to overthink the menu.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Those delaminations deteriorated between dive 80 and dive 88, its final dive, resulting in a local buckling failure that led to the implosion.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
While the full impact of Medicaid cuts could take years to unfold, doctors say the system is already buckling.
—Selina Wang, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025
Swift’s 149-show, five-continent expedition encapsulated a tsunami of emotions not just among her fans, but her own journey through a very public breakup, a fling and, as indicated by her engagement to Kelce, knee-buckling love.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
And the season preview does seem to promise that things will eventually get more interesting; shots of a groom going to get some air and a bride’s knees buckling suggest that at least one couple may be headed toward a wedding-day crisis.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 1 Oct. 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
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
Even large value retailers are buckling now.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Over-Fussing with the Menu Southerners can be guilty of always assuming there needs to be a table buckling under the weight of food, but there is no need to overthink the menu.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Those delaminations deteriorated between dive 80 and dive 88, its final dive, resulting in a local buckling failure that led to the implosion.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
While the full impact of Medicaid cuts could take years to unfold, doctors say the system is already buckling.
—Selina Wang, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025
Swift’s 149-show, five-continent expedition encapsulated a tsunami of emotions not just among her fans, but her own journey through a very public breakup, a fling and, as indicated by her engagement to Kelce, knee-buckling love.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
And the season preview does seem to promise that things will eventually get more interesting; shots of a groom going to get some air and a bride’s knees buckling suggest that at least one couple may be headed toward a wedding-day crisis.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 1 Oct. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buckling
Verb
-
Reservoirs supplying Tehran and other urban centers have dropped to critically low levels, while agricultural production in the nation’s most fertile regions is collapsing, threatening food security and rural livelihoods.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Dorzon had been shot 11 times and his girlfriend had also been hit, collapsing on the front lawn.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The city is devoting 12 inspectors to the effort — six teams of two.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
-
As a working mother, Meghan has been candid about running her business while also devoting plenty of time to her kiddos.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 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
-
Many major airlines are also waiving change fees and penalties for passengers who are looking to switch their flights on their own, though some carriers are applying limits.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Thompson immediately began applying for jobs, including DoorDash, grocery stores and substitute teaching.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Keeping your heels on the ground, lift your toes toward your shins without bending your knees.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Blending genre-bending humor with social satire, the show examines modern life, dating, and identity through an inventive lens.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Chinese leader then toured the vessel, including inspecting the mess hall and giving a trial press of the ship’s catapult button, according to CCTV.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
At Tesla’s annual meeting on Thursday, shareholders voted in favor of giving CEO Musk a gargantuan, record-shattering pay package that could give him stock worth $1 trillion after several years.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buckling. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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