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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fails
to be unsuccessful
the legal case collapsed in the face of the opposition's evidence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of collapses
Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 21 Apr. 2026
Like a proto-Christopher Nolan film, Raphael collapses the second into the minute into the day, and then doubles the scene over itself through a reflection in water.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
If automation eliminates most jobs and the wage share collapses, the people with money—capital owners—will be already satiated, while displaced workers can’t afford to buy anything.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
As the castle’s internal order collapses under the weight of a string of baffling crimes, Araki strikes a fragile alliance with Kuroda Kanbei – a razor-minded captive languishing in his own dungeon – in a race to root out a traitor before Oda’s army closes in.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
In Creggers’ Resident Evil, Abrams plays Bryan, a medical courier who unwittingly finds himself in a nonstop race for survival as one fateful, horrifying night collapses around him in chaos.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
The questions are valid — middle-of-field volume, under-center experience, and whether his game has enough improv juice when structure collapses — but the résumé is too strong to shrug off.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
The implosion, in which a building collapses on itself, will be coordinated by BG Group, Controlled Demolition Inc, Moss Construction, and other engineering consultants, in collaboration with the City of Miami.
—Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
The shape is softer, closer to a slipper, with a flexible sole and an elasticized back that slightly collapses at the heel.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 6 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Making that declaration is risky, given the history of collapses by professional teams in this city.
—Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 3 Apr. 2026
These are firms that have survived recessions, world wars, colonial collapses, and technological revolutions.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
But fears spiked at the end of last year after the high-profile collapses of First Brands, an auto parts manufacturer, and Tricolor, a subprime auto lender, called attention to significant fraud and weakness in the sector.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
In the Santiago de Cuba province, housing damage was particularly severe, with 95,000 homes affected, 2,300 total collapses, and 6,000 complete roof failures.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Homogeneous teams miss these fault lines until systems break — or trust collapses — often after damage has already been done.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
The study found that, as the frequency of GNTW increases, emotional attachment to clothing collapses.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2026
The settlement agreement called for Encinitas to increase public awareness about the risks of bluff collapses, including posting new signage and providing additional training for beach lifeguards.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
But measurement collapses this superposition, yielding one definitive outcome.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 21 Apr. 2026
Like a proto-Christopher Nolan film, Raphael collapses the second into the minute into the day, and then doubles the scene over itself through a reflection in water.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
If automation eliminates most jobs and the wage share collapses, the people with money—capital owners—will be already satiated, while displaced workers can’t afford to buy anything.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
As the castle’s internal order collapses under the weight of a string of baffling crimes, Araki strikes a fragile alliance with Kuroda Kanbei – a razor-minded captive languishing in his own dungeon – in a race to root out a traitor before Oda’s army closes in.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
In Creggers’ Resident Evil, Abrams plays Bryan, a medical courier who unwittingly finds himself in a nonstop race for survival as one fateful, horrifying night collapses around him in chaos.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
The questions are valid — middle-of-field volume, under-center experience, and whether his game has enough improv juice when structure collapses — but the résumé is too strong to shrug off.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
The implosion, in which a building collapses on itself, will be coordinated by BG Group, Controlled Demolition Inc, Moss Construction, and other engineering consultants, in collaboration with the City of Miami.
—Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
The shape is softer, closer to a slipper, with a flexible sole and an elasticized back that slightly collapses at the heel.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
Marin stuck to her plan of staying close until a moment that changed everything with shocking swiftness — her changing her mind and going for the green on the par-5 13th for a go-ahead birdie, and Talley adding to the sad history of collapses on the back nine at the home of the Masters.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Making that declaration is risky, given the history of collapses by professional teams in this city.
—Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 3 Apr. 2026
These are firms that have survived recessions, world wars, colonial collapses, and technological revolutions.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
But fears spiked at the end of last year after the high-profile collapses of First Brands, an auto parts manufacturer, and Tricolor, a subprime auto lender, called attention to significant fraud and weakness in the sector.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
In the Santiago de Cuba province, housing damage was particularly severe, with 95,000 homes affected, 2,300 total collapses, and 6,000 complete roof failures.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Homogeneous teams miss these fault lines until systems break — or trust collapses — often after damage has already been done.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
The study found that, as the frequency of GNTW increases, emotional attachment to clothing collapses.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2026
The settlement agreement called for Encinitas to increase public awareness about the risks of bluff collapses, including posting new signage and providing additional training for beach lifeguards.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapses
Verb
-
The flagellar bundle falls apart, and the cell tumbles.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This setting uses more water and tumbles linens gently to keep them from getting twisted.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This is not a measure with your heart sort of moment, so take the time to do a little research, and if all else fails, turn to the Lowe’s website.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Even when a missile fails, the danger still reaches home.—
Nawaf M. Al-Thani,
semafor.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The memory foam feels plush yet supportive, and the pillow compresses down to fit easily in a carry-on when not in use.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Moisture can influence the leather and core, changing how the ball compresses at impact.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Brandon Nimmo hit a leadoff homer, another two-run shot and a double for the Rangers, who have lost six of nine with their back-to-back defeats at Dodger Stadium.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Check out the vibes following defeats.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Niall, for his part, only comes to hate himself more as gay acceptance goes mainstream, his initial distress over his sexuality compounded by humiliation at being unable to get past that distress.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
There’s a gap between how AI is being used and how it’s being talked about—and that goes well beyond sports.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fortunately for shareholders, the stock grants come with a feature similar to equity options that somewhat reduces Musk’s payday, especially in a case like the one above where the plan flops.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
29 Nov. 2025
-
Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As that air rises, cools, and condenses, heavy rain can drop in a compact zone while nearby air remains dry.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Due to extra off days in April, the Yankees will begin the season with a four-man starting staff but plan to re-incorporate Gil in the rotation once the schedule condenses.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More recently, fans trying to buy tickets for major tours, like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, BTS, Bruce Springsteen, and Harry Styles have faced sky-high prices, system failures, and a lack of real alternatives.—
Letitia James,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Interestingly, the device proved highly successful, showing no safety issues or failures across all eight patients.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Collapses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapses. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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