Synonyms of collapse

collapse 1 of 2

verb

kə-ˈlaps 

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

• tumble
• go
• crumple
• crumble
• die
• buckle
• melt
• implode
• shatter
• give
• crash
• yield
• go out
• founder
• cave (in)
• give way
• burst
• break
• fail
• snap
• crack
• flatten
• deflate
• smash
• pop
• split
• stall
• break down
• give out
• melt down
• splinter
• conk (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• swell
• inflate

2

as in to fail

to be unsuccessful

the legal case collapsed in the face of the opposition's evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fail
• flop
• fold
• struggle
• miss
• bomb
• strike out
• tank
• fall short
• decline
• fall flat
• come up empty
• come to grief
• founder
• flunk
• die on the vine
• crash
• crater
• flame out
• lay an egg
• wash out
• come a cropper
• crumble
• slump
• fall on one's face
• slip
• skid
• implode
• flounder
• wane
• sink
• go under
• misfire
• miscarry
• self-destruct

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• go
• succeed
• work out
• deliver
• click
• go over
• come off
• thrive
• flourish
• cook
• triumph
• win
• prosper
• pan out
• prevail

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

• compress
• squeeze
• condense
• consolidate
• pack
• narrow (down)
• compact
• contract
• capsule
• constrict
• simplify
• constringe
• telescope
• cram
• capsulize
• shrink
• shorten
• decrease
• downsize
• boil down
• curtail
• jam
• diminish
• abridge
• crowd
• abbreviate
• streamline
• concentrate
• jam-pack
• lessen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expand
• open
• decompress
• outspread
• dissipate
• disperse
• scatter
• dilate
• swell
• inflate
• outstretch
• distend

collapse

2 of 2

noun

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

• exhaustion
• fatigue
• burnout
• disablement
• prostration
• weariness
• tiredness
• weakness
• faintness
• lassitude
• impotence
• frazzle
• feebleness
• lethargy
• debility
• debilitation
• inertia
• slumber
• enervation
• stupor
• infirmity
• frailty
• enfeeblement
• overfatigue
• sluggishness
• apathy
• passivity
• languor
• torpor
• listlessness
• frailness
• torpidity
• passiveness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• revitalization
• rejuvenation
• bounce
• refreshment
• energy
• vitality
• drive
• go
• strength
• snap
• punch
• vigor
• dash
• power
• starch
• zip
• rejuvenescence
• muscle
• sap
• pep
• liveliness
• ginger
• might
• verve
• zing
• potency
• vim
• vivacity
• puissance
• jauntiness
• briskness
• spiritedness
• sprightliness
• vivaciousness

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

• defeat
• failure
• crash
• setback
• fizzle
• cropper
• nonsuccess
• futility
• nonachievement
• disappointment
• deficiency
• uselessness
• ineffectiveness
• ineffectuality
• inefficacy
• inadequacy
• insufficiency
• ineffectualness
• letdown
• inefficaciousness
• inadequateness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• success
• achievement
• accomplishment
• victory
• win

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of collapse

Verb

His message delivery is no more successful than Todd’s, and now the entire conference is in danger of collapsing. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026

But then the story stalls, zeroes in on some incidental detail, and collapses into a mode of reflection that is circular and recursive. — Meghan O’Gieblyn, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026

Noun

The collapse of Brazilian bank Banco Master has reached across the political establishment, including the Supreme Court, just weeks before the vote. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

For Europe, Ukraine’s collapse would create a security threat far greater than the cost of replacing transformers or financing fuel imports. — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026