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

As a result, each shell collapses sequentially, gradually absorbing and dissipating the kinetic energy. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

However, revenue per shopper collapses because nobody browses on the way out. — Bar Maimon, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Nigerian sibling directors Arie and Chuko Esiri have adopted a nonlinear structure that collapses the past into the present—a correlative to the stream-of-consciousness that makes adapting Virginia Woolf such a daunting task for any filmmaker. — A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

And sometimes, as in the real estate market, a deal that suits all parties collapses simply because something unexpected has happened higher up the chain. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

No Way Home drew on the superhero's previous film incarnations, bringing them all together as Peter Parker's world collapses. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2026

Currency collapses, banking crises, and deep recessions struck the East Asian deficit countries, while the surplus countries bore few costs. — Michael Pettis, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026

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

Noun

Building collapses are a recurring hazard in parts of India during the June-to-September monsoon season, when heavy or prolonged rain can weaken older structures. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Not necessarily from the back-breaking collapses perspective, but from the overall record and playoff finish perspective. — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Gold mining expands despite safety risks Artisanal mine collapses are common in Central African Republic, where thousands of people work in small-scale mining, often with little protection. — Jean Fernand Koena, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

This is the vertical metal support needed as reinforcement against roof collapses during rollover. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 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

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