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
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 collapses
Anant Agarwal, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
As Stahl said, anytime there’s a reckless driver, the emergency pipeline collapses and knocks out water flow to the entire area.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
If Bayrou’s minority government collapses, Macron may nominate another prime minister, likely to be a centrist who will face a similar struggle to pass a budget.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2025
Clock is ticking Unless the team on the field profoundly collapses this season, Riley probably isn’t in serious jeopardy.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Trump first closed the loophole for goods inbound from China and Hong Kong in April, but has since extended that to all countries; Republican lawmakers’ tax bill, which passed in July, also collapses de minimis by law effective 2027.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
When someone collapses from a heart attack, chances of survival fall 10% with every passing minute without defibrillation.
—New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025
According to this view, when a massive star dies and collapses into a black hole, part of its ordinary matter is transformed into dark energy.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2025
Tunnel collapses are a constant risk.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025
Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
On Reddit, Mets fans were busy arguing about which squads in the franchise’s history had suffered the worst collapses.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
Fires, tunnel collapses, undetected gas The subterranean fires are just one of the obstacles facing Siyabonga and his colleagues.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025
As a result, the star’s core collapses under the force of gravity, leading to a stellar explosion.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
In addition to drowning, the agency has said that the victims are dying from lightning strikes and in housing collapses.
—Jillian Frankel, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
This complex and emotionally charged process, driven by a maze of legacy systems and human bottlenecks, collapses precisely when people need it most.
—Anant Agarwal, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
As Stahl said, anytime there’s a reckless driver, the emergency pipeline collapses and knocks out water flow to the entire area.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
If Bayrou’s minority government collapses, Macron may nominate another prime minister, likely to be a centrist who will face a similar struggle to pass a budget.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2025
Clock is ticking Unless the team on the field profoundly collapses this season, Riley probably isn’t in serious jeopardy.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Trump first closed the loophole for goods inbound from China and Hong Kong in April, but has since extended that to all countries; Republican lawmakers’ tax bill, which passed in July, also collapses de minimis by law effective 2027.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
When someone collapses from a heart attack, chances of survival fall 10% with every passing minute without defibrillation.
—New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025
According to this view, when a massive star dies and collapses into a black hole, part of its ordinary matter is transformed into dark energy.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2025
Tunnel collapses are a constant risk.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
But composability also means the failure of one key protocol can rapidly cascade through many others, creating a chain reaction of liquidity crunches or asset collapses.
—Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
On Reddit, Mets fans were busy arguing about which squads in the franchise’s history had suffered the worst collapses.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
Fires, tunnel collapses, undetected gas The subterranean fires are just one of the obstacles facing Siyabonga and his colleagues.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025
As a result, the star’s core collapses under the force of gravity, leading to a stellar explosion.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
In addition to drowning, the agency has said that the victims are dying from lightning strikes and in housing collapses.
—Jillian Frankel, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapses
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Múlafossur Waterfall tumbles into the Atlantic below—its roar softened by Northern Fulmars wheeling overhead.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
At only 20 feet high, Abrams Falls’ stature isn’t its most impressive quality; however, the sheer force of water that tumbles down it is an experience to enjoy with several senses—certainly sight, but also sound and feel too.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
What To Watch For The next draw for the Powerball jackpot will take place on Wednesday night, and if a winner fails to emerge once again, the jackpot prize will likely eclipse the biggest one of 2024.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Finding a supportive community is key, and if all else fails, get offline.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This compresses the heart and keeps blood flowing until the heart restarts or professional help arrives.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Circana’s Liquid Mix compresses that cycle to minutes, vastly improving how brands can respond to market signals.—
Kiri Masters,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Interestingly, her three defeats at the grand slams this year have come at the hands of American opponents.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Think about athletes who train for years, face setbacks, injuries and defeats, yet continue pushing toward their goals.—
Aurelien Mangano,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As for Cracker Barrel, where the company goes from here is anyone’s guess.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Money raised from Arizona lottery games goes toward funding higher education, health and human services, environmental conservation and economic and business development in the state.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This rising air cools and condenses into clouds and thunderstorms, releasing latent heat that fuels further development.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
-
The air revitalization system condenses moisture from the cabin air – primarily water vapor from sweat and exhalation – into liquid water.—
Berrin Tansel,
The Conversation,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
While the popular story highlights a federal civil rights victory, a more comprehensive examination reveals the triumph of white resistance, the failures of sustained federal oversight, and the longer history of Black student courage and activism.—
Time,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Within these settings, members may receive encouragement to share their successes, failures, roadblocks, and takeaways.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But Jarmusch folds everything into the mix with an invisible hand.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
-
During the day, the bed folds up via a split-hinge design that allows the foot section to lift clean to the ceiling and the midsection to fold back vertically against the alcove that houses the head of the mattress.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Collapses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapses. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share