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
In the final minutes, this track, too, seems to collapse, though without any of the violence that has accompanied other Drukqs meltdowns. — Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 31 Oct. 2026 Handoff after handoff after handoff, Hubbard saw a collapsing path where there was supposed to be daylight. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
The collapse of Brazilian bank Banco Master has reached across the political establishment, including the Supreme Court, just weeks before the vote. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026 For Europe, Ukraine’s collapse would create a security threat far greater than the cost of replacing transformers or financing fuel imports. — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 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
  • Styled by longtime collaborator and hairstylist Alyx Liu, Lovato’s dark raven locks tumbled down her shoulders in a loose curl pattern, adding to the visual drama.
    — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • As dryers tumbled and washers churned in the background last Wednesday, children at the Wash Smart Laundry on Summit Street in Elgin were learning skills to prepare them for kindergarten.
    — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of tumble
Verb
  • Resolution allows regulators to transfer a failing bank's deposits to other institutions before liquidating its remaining assets.
    — EMILIO SANABRIA, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • If power fails or core temperatures rise, the system shuts down and the liquid fuel salt drains by gravity into passive dump tanks without operator action.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of fail
Verb
  • By adjusting the distance between the tips, the team could stretch or compress the molecular structure, changing the voltage at which the current enhancement began.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • For everyday document management, AcePDF can merge or split files, rotate or delete pages, compress large PDFs, and extract images.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of compress
Noun
  • Security by exhaustion The internet is held together with shoestring and bubblegum.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Change fatigue is a state of exhaustion workers may experience after going through many changes at their employer.
    — Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhaustion
Noun
  • Cárdenas played a pivotal role in Mexico's democratization, beginning with his first presidential bid in 1988, which ended in a defeat widely regarded as the result of widespread electoral fraud.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Can Detroit hand their division rival their first defeat and stay alive in the standings?
    — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • All but 10% of those funds would go towards bolstering the state’s healthcare system.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • His tariffs and, in particular, go-it-alone war with Iran stoked inflation and sent the cost of gas, diesel, groceries and fertilizer soaring.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of go
Verb
  • One day after being retroactively fined for flopping on a play against Utah, forward Ziaire Williams was whistled for the violation again during the fourth quarter Tuesday.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Because the flopping infraction carries no suspension, George remains fully cleared to suit up Friday when Boston hosts his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of flop
Verb
  • The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil artery between Iran and Oman, has sent oil and gas prices on the uptick, squeezing Americans at home.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Drain collard greens and squeeze gently to remove excess water.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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