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
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of collapse
Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 2026
However, the Bucks fired him, as the team’s stout defense collapsed (no duh) with Holiday gone.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Kristin Houser, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Environmental collapse is imminent!
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Verb
Buckled beneath thick ice, the roof had collapsed.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 2026
However, the Bucks fired him, as the team’s stout defense collapsed (no duh) with Holiday gone.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
The collapse of apprenticeship networks, the disappearance of specific ore sources, and the rise of cheaper industrial steel all contributed to its decline.
—Kristin Houser, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Environmental collapse is imminent!
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapse
Verb
-
But as the pandemic subsided and many workers returned to in-person roles, Zoom’s stock has tumbled from its highs.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, approval of his handling of immigration — long a political asset for the president and the GOP — has tumbled.—
Steven Sloan,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Previous attempts at a temporary truce between Russia and Ukraine have all failed to hold.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Close-range finishing The Bulls relied heavily on their 3-point shooting in Thursday’s loss as shots failed to fall inside the arc.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When investors have less confidence in future growth, the P/E will get compressed.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
When growth slows down, those multiples compress severely.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That exhaustion after meetings that drain rather than energize you.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Managing the logistics of displacement is further complicated by endless paperwork, insurance claims, Federal Emergency Management Agency forms and the exhaustion of grief.—
Tara Anne Dalbow,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Paramount has refused to accept defeat, launching a hostile takeover to attempt to claim its rival — a pursuit that Warner board members are fighting.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The result was a catastrophic defeat for the Confederacy.—
Jamelle Bouie,
Mercury News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Most of them go deep into the memory vault of childhood, recalling fishing trips and family gatherings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
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Nordstrom Lucky Brand Fair Isle Shawl-Collar Cardigan Both Lopez’s and Hudson’s sweaters appear to be from Polo Ralph Lauren (the former’s looks like this one that's no longer available, while the latter’s resembles this one that goes for $798).—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Trump loyalists flop all the time and live to flop once more.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Stiller’s character attempts to match the athletic feat in a heated rage by climbing high and belly-flopping right onto a drum kit as the music powers on.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pull upward, squeezing the lat muscle in your upper back at the top.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Pour salt onto the stain, then squeeze lemon juice over top.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Collapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapse. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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