1
as in fallen
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2
as in destroyed
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3
as in unconscious
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in failed
to be unsuccessful
the legal case collapsed in the face of the opposition's evidence
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of collapsed
Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
The Los Angeles County Fire Department on Wednesday rescued three people who were trapped under a collapsed retaining wall in Lennox.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
In the future, these miniature flying machines could navigate collapsed buildings after earthquakes and help locate survivors in places larger robots cannot reach.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Dec. 2025
One life ended, within a collapsed home, curled around her stepson’s infant son.
—Sharon Olds, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Between 3,000 and 4,000 children have lost one or more limbs since the war began, many after being pulled from collapsed buildings.
—Samer Sinijlawi, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025
The mayor broke nine ribs and suffered a lacerated liver and semi-collapsed lung, the statement said.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Nov. 2025
One villager has drowned in flash floods in the eastern province of Catanduanes, officials confirmed to the Associated Press, while another died in Catbalogan city in eastern Samar province after being pinned by debris from a collapsed home.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
As the collapsed core of a massive star, a neutron star is a small but incredibly dense object, packing up to three times the mass of our sun into a small volume.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Kostya Kennedy, Time, 16 Feb. 2026
The front porch had also collapsed on the two-story, multi-family building.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026
Widespread flooding has taken the lives of several people, including a man who died when his home collapsed near Rome last week.
—Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
At the moment that B’Tselem says Hathaleen collapsed, the visuals are jostled but moans of pain can be heard.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Instead of blasting its outer layers into space in a bright explosion, its inner core appears to have collapsed inward completely, forming a black hole directly.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Feb. 2026
After saluting the judges and exchanging high fives and hugs with her teammates, the Houston native saw her perfect 10 posted and collapsed.
—Dakayla Hawkins, Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
The barrier to entry collapsed.
—Mina Haque, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
The routine collapsed on another quad lutz try.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The newborn daughter of a woman killed in a Queens house fire was found dead in the collapsed home two days later, FDNY official said Wednesday.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
The Los Angeles County Fire Department on Wednesday rescued three people who were trapped under a collapsed retaining wall in Lennox.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
In the future, these miniature flying machines could navigate collapsed buildings after earthquakes and help locate survivors in places larger robots cannot reach.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Dec. 2025
One life ended, within a collapsed home, curled around her stepson’s infant son.
—Sharon Olds, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Between 3,000 and 4,000 children have lost one or more limbs since the war began, many after being pulled from collapsed buildings.
—Samer Sinijlawi, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025
The mayor broke nine ribs and suffered a lacerated liver and semi-collapsed lung, the statement said.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Nov. 2025
One villager has drowned in flash floods in the eastern province of Catanduanes, officials confirmed to the Associated Press, while another died in Catbalogan city in eastern Samar province after being pinned by debris from a collapsed home.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
As the collapsed core of a massive star, a neutron star is a small but incredibly dense object, packing up to three times the mass of our sun into a small volume.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
In Worcester, which lay more than 40 miles from the Charlestown line, a parched and dusty rider arrived at the square in front of the church, where his horse collapsed in exhaustion.
—Kostya Kennedy, Time, 16 Feb. 2026
The front porch had also collapsed on the two-story, multi-family building.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026
Widespread flooding has taken the lives of several people, including a man who died when his home collapsed near Rome last week.
—Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
At the moment that B’Tselem says Hathaleen collapsed, the visuals are jostled but moans of pain can be heard.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Instead of blasting its outer layers into space in a bright explosion, its inner core appears to have collapsed inward completely, forming a black hole directly.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Feb. 2026
After saluting the judges and exchanging high fives and hugs with her teammates, the Houston native saw her perfect 10 posted and collapsed.
—Dakayla Hawkins, Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
The barrier to entry collapsed.
—Mina Haque, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
The routine collapsed on another quad lutz try.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapsed
Adjective
-
During his court appearance, the suspect wore the handcuffs that belonged to the fallen officer.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
20 Feb. 2026
-
However, fallen mulberries are messy, so avoid planting near sidewalks, driveways, or parking areas.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Firefighters pulled the unconscious victim from his apartment and medics rushed him to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens but he could not be saved, police said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Destiny and Shawn Jackson said the gas left their baby unconscious and foaming at the mouth, and that strangers and local law enforcement helped them while the feds stood in the way.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Specifically, during a phone call Sullivan had with Eric after the ordeal, which marked a low point for the series as Eric launched into a verbal tirade while cameras captured Sullivan crumpled into a bawling heap.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
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The Honda’s trunk flew open, the front crumpled.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors say the defendant failed to take into account his girlfriend’s inexperience in mountain climbing as well as the harsh winter conditions.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Duffy said 448 schools failed to meet basic safety standards.—
Josh Funk,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Years of overzealous inversions had compressed his vertebrae, damaging his nerves so severely that risky, major surgery appeared to be the only solution.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Theoretically, the plasmas collide in the fusion chamber and are compressed by magnets around the machine.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In February 2025, Pradeep Kumar Sood was struck and killed while crossing in a faded crosswalk on Peachtree Street near AmericasMart downtown.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Manny Pacquiao’s attempt to extend his boxing career toward an Olympic appearance at 45 ran into age‑limit rules and concerns about the optics and health risks of watching a faded great take more punishment.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Eagles, meanwhile, imploded, and Hurts’ longest completion all day was a 20-yarder to Barkley on their final drive.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Palo Alto Networks — Shares of the cybersecurity company tumbled 6% after Palo Alto issued a weak earnings forecast for the current quarter.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
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Last week, Wall Street shook when stocks of software and other companies tumbled as investors hunted for companies that could be potential losers if AI ends up remaking the world and their industries.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Collapsed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapsed. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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