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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of collapse
Kif Leswing, CNBC, 27 June 2025
Haiti’s multifaceted crisis is also driven by a collapsing healthcare system, poor living conditions, and a lack of food security.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2025
Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025
There was a partial roof collapse, and the investigators weren’t able to get back inside.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Verb
Some of the companies are even publicly traded, and can see their stocks soar or collapse based on a kernel of news.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 27 June 2025
Haiti’s multifaceted crisis is also driven by a collapsing healthcare system, poor living conditions, and a lack of food security.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2025
Noun
The bill is the Legislature’s third attempt since the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside to clarify safety measures imposed to prevent further catastrophes.
—Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025
There was a partial roof collapse, and the investigators weren’t able to get back inside.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapse
Verb
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In 1996, a 3-year-old boy tumbled 24 feet into a gorilla enclosure after sliding through a barrier at a Chicago-area zoo.—
Mark Gray,
People.com,
27 June 2025
-
Oil prices tumble from June 20 highs Unable to view our graphics?—
Jim Sergent,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Verb
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In the corporate world, companies that fail to keep up with advances in hardware, software or technology platforms could face a different type of crisis: being at a competitive disadvantage in a challenging and demanding marketplace.—
Edward Segal,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
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Renard was not the only one who failed to make the cut.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
5 July 2025
Verb
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In theory, this could help spotlight Alto Adige’s remarkable vineyard diversity - granite slopes, volcanic porphyry, glacial moraines - all compressed into just under 6,000 hectares of fragmented vineyards, layered across extreme altitudes.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
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Burnout is a potential trade-off If your workload is heavy, compressing it into fewer days can backfire.—
Julia Sullivan,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Noun
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While other editors navigated the daily grind in a visible state of exhaustion, Wintour, with her signature bob, dark sunglasses, and famously enigmatic composure, cultivated an air of mystery and authority that few could emulate.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Now, there are signs of upside exhaustion to suggest that MSFT may soon relinquish its leadership stronghold.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
30 June 2025
Noun
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Calgary is coming off a defeat, however, having most recently fallen 20-12 to the previously 0-2 Ottawa Redblacks.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
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The reigning world champions had inflicted a 7-1 defeat on Portugal in April.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
4 July 2025
Verb
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But the story goes a little something like this: Cheyenne, along with her two older brothers, was taken in by their great-grandparents after their mother lost custody.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
The Courier-Journal,
6 July 2025
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Decked in his trademark fluorescent yellow, the run of 10,000 tickets for what has typically been one of Silverstone’s slower-selling grandstands went within 90 minutes.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Some species will flop over when grown in rich soils.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 July 2025
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Staking helps protect tall or large-flowered dahlias from breakage and flopping over, especially after rain or strong wind.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Paul Blackburn, with plenty of starting experience for Oakland, could squeeze into the picture too – especially if the Mets decide to try a six-man rotation that would save wear and tear on each man.—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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When pancake is ready to flip, squeeze the cinnamon mixture into a swirl shape on top of the pancake batter, pressing the tip of the bag slightly into the batter.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Collapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapse. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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