1
as in to tumble
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure
the motel balcony collapsed under the weight of so many people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to fail
to be unsuccessful
the legal case collapsed in the face of the opposition's evidence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to compress
to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together
the novel collapses events from four separate trips into one long odyssey
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in exhaustion
a complete depletion of energy or strength
suffered a mental collapse under the strain of studying for his bar exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in defeat
a falling short of one's goals
the complete collapse of the invasion set off a round of finger-pointing and recrimination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of collapse
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
According to a witness, per AP, worshippers had climbed up the wooden structure to view the ceiling when the scaffolding collapsed.
—Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Will Sammon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
This article has been updated to correct the headline to a collapse of 40 percentage points since 1972.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Verb
Removing collapsed home debris from the beach can take weeks or even months, the park service reported.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
According to a witness, per AP, worshippers had climbed up the wooden structure to view the ceiling when the scaffolding collapsed.
—Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
For a Mets team hounded by questions about clubhouse culture in the wake of a late-season collapse, Marte is an intriguing case.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
This article has been updated to correct the headline to a collapse of 40 percentage points since 1972.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapse
Verb
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The tests showed that wind speeds as low as 30 to 33 feet per second (9 to 10 meters per second) were sufficient to push the tumbleweed rovers, while onboard sensors were successful in capturing data as the rovers tumbled.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
30 Sep. 2025
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Movie ticket sales are down in the United States as the number of major releases hitting theaters has tumbled since the pandemic — and consumers have shifted their viewing habits to streaming platforms to watch at home.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But Kempes had failed to score at the World Cup four years earlier, and started this tournament slowly.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Water bottles left behind were filled with black urine – a sign of failing kidneys and dehydration.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When that happens, the refrigerant evaporates and gets compressed at a very high pressure–typically several hundred pounds per square inch.—
Sara Kiley Watson,
Popular Science,
2 Oct. 2025
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Still, crossing 200% is unusual and underscores future returns may be lower if multiples compress or growth cools, echoing Buffett’s long-standing preference for value and margin of safety.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Additionally, multitasking contributes to mental fatigue and negatively impacts overall well-being, with some participants reporting feelings of exhaustion after.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
-
An intimate portrait of love and exhaustion that finds the comic edge in ordinary chaos.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Liverpool’s defeat at Galatasaray saw their title chances drop from 20 to 15 per cent, with their top-eight chances falling to 59 per cent too (from 84).—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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The drop in the currency has been driven in part by concerns over Milei’s political support ahead of key midterm elections later this month following a crushing defeat in a local vote in Buenos Aires province in early September.—
Nicolle Yapur,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Milwaukee rewarded him with a two-year, $11 million contract in July, and, with Damian Lillard gone, Porter is now the point guard, which was confirmed by Doc Rivers a few weeks ago.—
Stan Son,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
They Chiefs needed just five plays to go 97 yards for the TD.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This is, mostly, the same group that entered last October with huge expectations, only to flop in four games.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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The critique echoes larger skepticism in Silicon Valley, where hardware plays like Humane’s AI Pin and Rabbit’s R1 have already flopped.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These 515 V3s, along with other New Balance sneakers, offer a wide, roomy toe box, ensuring that my toes aren’t squeezed together and out of alignment.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
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The shoes fold in half, becoming compact enough to fit in your personal item or squeeze into a corner of your carry-on.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Collapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapse. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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