Synonyms of collapses

collapses 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of collapse

1

as in tumbles

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

• tumbles
• goes
• crumples
• dies
• melts
• crumbles
• shatters
• gives
• implodes
• yields
• buckles
• crashes
• goes out
• fails
• breaks
• gives way
• founders
• flattens
• bursts
• pops
• smashes
• snaps
• cracks
• splits
• caves (in)
• deflates
• stalls
• breaks down
• melts down
• gives out
• splinters
• conks (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rises
• swells
• inflates

2

as in fails

to be unsuccessful

the legal case collapsed in the face of the opposition's evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fails
• flops
• folds
• misses
• struggles
• bombs
• flunks
• tanks
• falls short
• strikes out
• falls flat
• declines
• comes to grief
• flames out
• lays an egg
• comes up empty
• crashes
• founders
• craters
• crumbles
• comes a cropper
• washes out
• slumps
• dies on the vine
• slips
• flounders
• falls on one's face
• wanes
• implodes
• skids
• miscarries
• sinks
• misfires
• goes under
• self-destructs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• goes
• succeeds
• delivers
• works out
• comes off
• clicks
• goes over
• thrives
• flourishes
• prevails
• cooks
• wins
• pans out
• prospers
• triumphs

3

as in compresses

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

• compresses
• condenses
• squeezes
• consolidates
• constricts
• packs
• narrows (down)
• crams
• simplifies
• compacts
• contracts
• capsules
• constringes
• telescopes
• capsulizes
• shortens
• shrinks
• decreases
• curtails
• downsizes
• abbreviates
• jams
• boils down
• abridges
• diminishes
• jam-packs
• crowds
• streamlines
• concentrates
• lessens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expands
• opens
• decompresses
• dissipates
• disperses
• dilates
• scatters
• outstretches
• inflates
• swells
• outspreads
• distends

collapses

2 of 2

noun

plural of collapse

as in defeats

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

• defeats
• failures
• crashes
• fizzles
• setbacks
• croppers
• nonsuccesses
• nonachievements
• futilities
• deficiencies
• disappointments
• inadequacies
• insufficiencies
• ineffectualities
• inefficacies
• letdowns

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• achievements
• successes
• accomplishments
• victories
• wins

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of collapses

Verb

If the merger collapses altogether, Paramount would instead be on the hook for a $7 billion termination fee to WBD. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026

Bear then passionately kisses Nikki, but soon collapses from the overdose and dies. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026

When trust collapses, rumors spread faster than pathogens, vaccination campaigns falter and outbreaks grow. — Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 13 Aug. 2026

Hermione, overcome with grief from the sudden death of her other son, collapses and dies offstage. — Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026

Perhaps even Daeron, who in the book dies ignobly early in the battle, either by a random one of Addam’s soldiers or when his burning pavilion collapses on him. — James Grebey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Another video geolocated by CNN shows people running for cover as another building collapses in Pereira. — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

The house finally collapses (the foundation has been sinking since before the rain began) and the creatures jump into the hole left by the house, never to be seen again. — Barry Levitt, Time, 7 Aug. 2026

But the serial killer arc feels more and more tacked on as the season collapses into itself. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026

Noun

Artisanal mine collapses are common in Central African Republic, where thousands of people work in small-scale mining, often with little protection. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Now, after two losing campaigns, each with dramatic, eye-searing collapses, this year may be Norvell’s last. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

The irishman discussed his disappointing season afterward, pointing to a pair of collapses to start his season and how that affected him. — Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Charted out, the twin collapses of the income and inheritance taxes look like a roller coaster careening downhill, picking up speed toward and through the twenty-first century. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026

Cameron Brink injured in Sparks’ loss Sabrina Ionescu scored 20 points and the New York Liberty avoided one of the biggest collapses in WNBA history, holding off the Sparks 85-81 on Thursday night. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Many survivors have chosen to sleep outside to avoid the risk of further collapses, and some are seeking shelter in places like stadiums. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026

When a massive star collapses and explodes, neutrinos escape from its interior and can reach Earth before the burst of light becomes visible. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026

When the catcher joined the Phillies, they were known for their September collapses and postseason droughts and ramshackle bullpens. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026