1
as in collapsed
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure
the wall caved in when a tree fell on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in succumbed
to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit)
I caved in to my bibliomania and bought two more books last week
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caved (in)
Verb
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In Worcester, which lay more than 40 miles from the Charlestown line, a parched and dusty rider arrived at the square in front of the church, where his horse collapsed in exhaustion.—
Kostya Kennedy,
Time,
16 Feb. 2026 -
The front porch had also collapsed on the two-story, multi-family building.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That was under former chairman Jeff Shi, who departed the club at the end of 2025 as decision-makers at owner Fosun succumbed to mounting pressure.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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Many white residents in East Flatbush had succumbed to racist fearmongering by real-estate speculators and sold their home for a fraction of the assessed value; the speculators sold those homes to Black buyers at exorbitant interest rates.—
Michael Powell,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Specifically, during a phone call Sullivan had with Eric after the ordeal, which marked a low point for the series as Eric launched into a verbal tirade while cameras captured Sullivan crumpled into a bawling heap.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
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The Honda’s trunk flew open, the front crumpled.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Tips submitted anonymously to the hotline may be eligible for a reward of up to $25,000.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Last spring, Illinois lawmakers advanced a bill that would have mandated additional oversight, including a homeschool declaration form to be submitted to local districts.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Caved (in).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caved%20%28in%29. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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