1
as in crumpled
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 failed
to be unsuccessful
the legal case collapsed in the face of the opposition's evidence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in compressed
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fallen
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in destroyed
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
3
as in unconscious
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 collapsed
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Tottenham collapsed last season when Romero and Mickey van de Ven spent months out injured.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Following the surgery, his body swelled dangerously, and his lungs collapsed, forcing doctors to place him on a ventilator.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Near the end of his second tenure in New England, McDaniels’ offense collapsed under the weight of its own complexity.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
But their hopes of forming a minority government collapsed when Macron refused to accept their choice of prime minister.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
Gilles reached the World Trade Center just before the second tower collapsed.
—Philip Gourevitch, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Since John Peyton took over as CEO in January 2021, Dine’s stock has collapsed by roughly 70%.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
That night, Winters collapsed in his bathroom.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The Department of Buildings told CBS News New York and News 12 Long Island that a 10-by-10-inch section of the ceiling collapsed due to possible water damage, and pieces of the building fell on customers dining inside.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Tottenham collapsed last season when Romero and Mickey van de Ven spent months out injured.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Following the surgery, his body swelled dangerously, and his lungs collapsed, forcing doctors to place him on a ventilator.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Near the end of his second tenure in New England, McDaniels’ offense collapsed under the weight of its own complexity.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
But their hopes of forming a minority government collapsed when Macron refused to accept their choice of prime minister.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
Gilles reached the World Trade Center just before the second tower collapsed.
—Philip Gourevitch, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Since John Peyton took over as CEO in January 2021, Dine’s stock has collapsed by roughly 70%.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
That night, Winters collapsed in his bathroom.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapsed
Verb
-
Last month, a Chinese coast guard vessel collided with a naval destroyer while attempting to drive away a Philippine patrol ship in the South China Sea, leaving its bow crumpled and twisted.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The fabric of his jersey, which should suggest his movement and musculature, is instead accordion-crumpled like a piece of paper.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
At the conclusion of the state's case Wednesday, the defense moved to have the case dismissed, arguing the state had failed to prove its case.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
-
So far this decade — according to Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science — the number of days that lows failed to dip below 80 degrees has already doubled compared to the 2000’s.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But this represents a 60 percent reduction from the 8-billion-parameter Llama model it was compressed from.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Yields are attractive, valuations are compressed, and the pound benefits from the Bank of England’s famously cautious approach to stimulus.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Wolf spiders prefer dark hiding places like piles of leaves or fallen logs.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Whether a storm, fallen tree, or power grid problem is to blame, having to toss food as a result is a pain for some and a significant financial burden for others.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The women were strangled and rendered unconscious during the attack.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Patients can be briefly roused—for example, to ask them to roll over or change a dressing—before falling unconscious again.—
RJ Mackenzie,
Popular Science,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Stellantis tumbled more than 5%.—
Benzinga,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Constellation Brands shares tumbled more than 6% after the Modelo and Corona parent company cut its outlook for the fiscal year.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Phones don’t seem to be the long-term solution, pins flopped, and glasses haven’t compelled the masses yet.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
On the ground, the story of what resonated — or flopped — at the Telluride Film Festival can look far different from the headlines.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Men’s tennis is being squeezed into a two-seater, and the rest of the field is being lapped.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Abigail has spoken with Virginians across the Commonwealth who are being squeezed by high costs — and to get to work on day one to lower costs across the board for Virginians, Abigail laid out her Affordable Virginia Plan.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Collapsed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapsed. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share