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
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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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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of collapse
Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 13 May 2025
The United States could see a hemorrhaging hospitality industry lose up to $12.5 billion in international travel tourism dollars this year, collapsing to $169 billion from $181 billion in 2024, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
—Kevin Williams, Quartz, 13 May 2025
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2025
With the collapse of the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria last December, and a possible U.S. withdrawal under President Donald Trump, Syria’s Kurds have struck a deal with the new Islamist government in Damascus – but also have feared Turkish military advances.
—Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Verb
Before Carrier’s tangle of fraudulent loans collapsed and was exposed in court, there were signs of trouble.
—Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 13 May 2025
The United States could see a hemorrhaging hospitality industry lose up to $12.5 billion in international travel tourism dollars this year, collapsing to $169 billion from $181 billion in 2024, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
—Kevin Williams, Quartz, 13 May 2025
Noun
National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) defender Savy King underwent heart surgery following her frightening collapse during a match for Angel City on Friday night, the team said.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2025
With the collapse of the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria last December, and a possible U.S. withdrawal under President Donald Trump, Syria’s Kurds have struck a deal with the new Islamist government in Damascus – but also have feared Turkish military advances.
—Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapse
Verb
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Arm gives weak guidance Shares of Arm tumbled more than 11% in extended trading after the chip-design company issued weaker-than-expected guidance for the current quarter.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
8 May 2025
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In the first quarter, national trucking volumes tumbled 13.8 percent from the year prior, the best year-over-year reading since the third quarter of 2023, according to the quarterly U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
8 May 2025
Verb
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Earlier this year, after failing to meet its own October deadline for the rebate’s relaunch, the government passed a measure allowing producers to claim expenses accrued in the final months of 2024 and the start of 2025.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
18 May 2025
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Over the years, he’s placed a total of 48 tracks somewhere on the list, meaning nearly all of them have become top 10 smashes, with only a handful failing to rise into that uppermost region.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
Verb
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The interstellar medium in our Milky Way galaxy is magnetic, can be compressed, and is turbulent.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
19 May 2025
-
So much fresh spinach done for you, cooked down and compressed for you.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 May 2025
Noun
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The cost of this mental churning extends beyond personal exhaustion.—
Melody Wilding,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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In addition to exhaustion and dehydration, mountaineers can also find themselves at risk of avalanches, hypothermia and falling.—
Amy Woodyatt,
CNN Money,
13 May 2025
Noun
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But the lack of pitching and power resulted in a tidal wave of defeats this year – even though top draft picks Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser, and Heston Kjerstad have already reached Camden Yards, along with Coby Mayo, Jordan Westburg, Rutschman, and Henderson.—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
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The government has suffered legal defeats on a range of issues including the firing of probationary federal workers, freezing of billions in foreign aid and a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
Verb
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So now the mystery of high U.S. interest rates makes sense: keep the dollar strong to keep the confetti going and the runaway government spending funded.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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Season 2 will see Charles (Danson) going undercover at a college.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
Verb
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So Oettinger, out of sheer desperation, flopped to his right, awkwardly because his right foot sort of got caught under him, and swatted the puck down with two hands.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
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Last night’s after-party offered an inclusive and welcoming environment, where folks flopped on an array of comfy sofas to take a break from dancing. Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Custom Container Living View 8 Images Custom Container Living has transformed a shipping container into an ultra-compact tiny house that squeezes a home for two into just 160 sq ft (14.8 sq m).—
Adam Williams
May 08,
New Atlas,
8 May 2025
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Auto dealers, squeezed by President Donald Trump’s tariffs on the industry, are already seeing a tighter supply of vehicles to offer buyers at a time when sticker prices for many models are set to climb. Pine Belt Subaru in Lakewood, New Jersey, normally receives 100 to 120 cars a month.—
Brian Cheung,
NBC news,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Collapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapse. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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