collapse 1 of 2

verb

kə-ˈlaps How to pronounce collapse (audio)
Definition of collapsenext
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

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2
as in to fail
to be unsuccessful the legal case collapsed in the face of the opposition's evidence

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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

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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of collapse
Verb
The lore behind 134 feet The $750,000 thermometer rose in 1991, collapsed in a sandstorm shortly after and was resurrected in 1992. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026 At ordinary theaters across the country, the basic craft of putting a bright, sharp picture on a screen has collapsed. — Lane Brown, Vulture, 25 July 2026
Noun
When the catcher joined the Phillies, they were known for their September collapses and postseason droughts and ramshackle bullpens. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 As the compressed sides bulge outward under load, the tower’s structural strength drops sharply, frequently triggering sudden buckling or catastrophic collapse. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for collapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapse
  1. tumble
  2. fail
  3. compress
  4. exhaustion
  5. defeat
  6. go
  7. flop
  8. squeeze
Verb
  • But Jesus eventually heals the man and casts the demons into a herd of pigs, which tumble over a cliff and drown.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • By Mark Gurman, Bloomberg Apple tumbled by the most in 16 months after component shortages weighed on the company’s sales forecast, signaling that industrywide supply constraints are taking a bigger toll than anticipated.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
Definition of tumble
Verb
  • Justice John Dixon said Bauer Media had failed to show the claims made about Wilson were substantially true or trivial.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • The state ethics commission accused the Georgia Republican Assembly and its political action committee of failing to disclose more than $180,000 of contributions and other violations.
    — David Wickert, AJC.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of fail
Verb
  • This results in a concentrated stream of CO₂, which can then be compressed and injected into permanent underground geological storage.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Place remaining pâte à choux round on top and press down slightly to compress.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of compress
Noun
  • In fact, the solar eclipse in Leo could shed light on everything from exhaustion and unconscious patterns to hidden resentments.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Ethernet inventor Bob Metcalfe, a Turing prize winner, reflected on building early networks and the challenge of digital exhaustion.
    — John Werner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of exhaustion
Noun
  • After Japan’s defeat in WWII, there was a deliberate effort to democratize the nation and defang its intelligence community.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • The quick, decisive defeat marked Rome’s final domination of the peninsula and solidified their influence over regional trade and military routes.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • Fans were in horror before going quiet as Aubrey Edwards called for the bell.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • But Tessarion’s always there and there’s a love and a deep appreciation that goes both ways with them.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 27 July 2026
Definition of go
Verb
  • Relatively low rates secured for bonds issued by Nvidia and SpaceX flopped in the secondary debt market earlier this month while Amazon had to settle for rates that were high by its standards, The Wall Street Journal reported on July 12.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 26 July 2026
  • The second play shows that this column isn't really about whether Clark flops.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of flop
Verb
  • Yet despite their clear burnout, most can’t afford to simply quit; not with the cost of living squeezing every paycheck, AI already closing in on entry-level roles, and one of the toughest job markets in years waiting on the other side.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • As a result, in 2015-16, regulators delayed the crab season for months, ultimately squeezing the typical seven months down to roughly two.
    — Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of squeeze

Browse Nearby Words

collages
collapse
collapsed
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Cite this Entry

“Collapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapse. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of collapse for Spanish Speakers

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