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
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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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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of collapse
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
The long, bloody strike forced President Grover Cleveland to order federal troops to intervene, which caused the strike to collapse.
—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2026
Jon Markman,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
The Mets suffered a catastrophic collapse in 2025 and missed the postseason after starting 45-24.
—
CBS News,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Verb
Rollins grated Breakker’s face against the steel cage as Bron collapsed.
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Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
The long, bloody strike forced President Grover Cleveland to order federal troops to intervene, which caused the strike to collapse.
—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2026
Noun
The pricing model evolves rather than collapses.
—
Jon Markman,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
The Mets suffered a catastrophic collapse in 2025 and missed the postseason after starting 45-24.
—
CBS News,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapse
Verb
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Despite that progress, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq declined, as megacap tech names tumbled.
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That shows up clearly in the data, with UK goods exports tumbling relative to other major economies since 2016.
Verb
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The biggest transaction of his tenure occurred when Shohei Ohtani left the Angels after six seasons for the Dodgers in late 2023, the Angels failing to trade Ohtani for prospects before Ohtani became a free agent.
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Twice already, in November of 2025 and February of this year, the seven states involved in re-negotiating water rights and use along with the 100-year old treaty kicked the can down the road and failed to come to an agreement on water sharing.
Verb
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Mirza built a single-entry-point platform that helps workers navigate childcare subsidies, SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid—compressing what can be 16 separate government forms into a single process in some states.
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During the peak in 2021 and 2022, C’Ganti has said pricing between Class A, B, and C properties was compressed.
Noun
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The title Wowed Out comes from James’ own phrase for the sensory exhaustion brought on by modern life.
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The war-weariness in Sadeq’s words reflects the exhaustion felt throughout Lebanon, but especially among the Shiites who form a third of its 6 million residents.
Noun
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A little more than an hour before his post-match press conference in the bowels of SoFi Stadium, Pochettino watched his USA team give up a last-second goal to Turkey that ensured a 3-2 defeat in this final match of the group stage.
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News of Custer's defeat stunned Americans, who were celebrating their country's centennial.
Verb
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The Phillies duo followed up their historic night on Saturday in which Schwarber hit three home runs and Harper hit for the cycle, by both going deep against the Mets again.
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How airlines and airports can do better Maglione and Riccobono both said that training and implementing new technology can go a long way toward improving the flying experience for blind travelers.
Verb
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This one kinda flopped Stateside but was pretty big around the world.
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The record flopped — but their next, Sounds of Silence, fared better, thanks to their sumptuous harmonies and Garfunkel’s hauntingly emotive voice.
Verb
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Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 in its final group-play match to squeeze into the knockout stages for just the second time, advancing as a third-place team.
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There was Paris squeezed between meetings on a fleeting work trip.
Cite this Entry
“Collapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapse. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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