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
-
We’re used to seeing Survivor players doubling over or collapsing after an exhausting challenge in intense heat.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
-
But those assumptions are collapsing under the weight of new realities.—
Klaus Schwab,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
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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
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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By the end of last season, Ancelotti was getting frustrated with how some of his stars were losing focus and not applying their talents to the benefit of collective success.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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While individual well-being adds up to represent the happiness of a nation, Heshmati cautions against applying the study’s conclusions to your own health and risk of death from chronic disease.—
Lindsey Leake,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Live action and animation come together in mind-bending ways, in service of the titular mystery.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
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Researchers validated the structure using finite element method (FEM) simulations to check how stress distributes during bending.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After being introduced to Picasso, Stein quickly developed a close relationship with him, discussing his work in his cluttered studio, giving him loans, and purchasing his paintings.—
Daphne Merkin,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
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Once seated, she is expected to become the 218th signatory on the discharge petition, giving the coalition enough support to force Johnson’s hand.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buckling. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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