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
David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
The film follows the turbulent journey of Evi-Oghene Donalds (Evi), a gifted but arrogant music star whose world collapses after her record label cuts ties without compensation.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
When leaders can abuse the justice system to target critics and investigators, the rule of law collapses.
—Cassandra Burke Robertson, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2025
Despite the unprecedented investment, productivity gains are elusive, employee adoption is shaky, and the business case often collapses under scrutiny.
—Christopher Lind, Big Think, 7 Oct. 2025
As part of the building collapses, screams can be heard.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Young told the outlet that collapses like the ones on Tuesday create an eyesore and a safety hazard for public beaches.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
The New York Mets’ and Detroit Tigers’ collapses.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Moments later, Young collapses.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Chris Vannini, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
This medium-sized carrier for cats and small dogs up to 20 pounds collapses into itself, reducing its 18-inch length to just under 3 inches.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Almost as suddenly as the whirlwind appears, the entire platform collapses in a fury of flames and chaos.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
The greatest dangers stem not from the shaking itself but from secondary effects such as building collapses, landslides, and tsunamis.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Avoiding collapses like the fourth quarter on Saturday will be paramount in doing so.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
The recent collapses were a result of hurricanes Humberto and Imelda, which made a mess of the Atlantic Ocean in the coastal waters off the Outer Banks.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
But the calamity sparked fears of similar collapses in other places.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
The Detroit Tigers have six games to avoid what could be one of the biggest collapses in franchise history.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
Ares instead collapses the two, transporting technology from the other universe—like the light cycle, a futuristic motorcycle that’s become a franchise icon—onto real-world streets.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
The film follows the turbulent journey of Evi-Oghene Donalds (Evi), a gifted but arrogant music star whose world collapses after her record label cuts ties without compensation.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
When leaders can abuse the justice system to target critics and investigators, the rule of law collapses.
—Cassandra Burke Robertson, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2025
Despite the unprecedented investment, productivity gains are elusive, employee adoption is shaky, and the business case often collapses under scrutiny.
—Christopher Lind, Big Think, 7 Oct. 2025
As part of the building collapses, screams can be heard.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Young told the outlet that collapses like the ones on Tuesday create an eyesore and a safety hazard for public beaches.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
The New York Mets’ and Detroit Tigers’ collapses.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Moments later, Young collapses.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
Seven games after being on the verge of playing for the national championship, Penn State has fired head coach James Franklin, capping one of the most stunningly quick collapses in college football history.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
This medium-sized carrier for cats and small dogs up to 20 pounds collapses into itself, reducing its 18-inch length to just under 3 inches.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Almost as suddenly as the whirlwind appears, the entire platform collapses in a fury of flames and chaos.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
The greatest dangers stem not from the shaking itself but from secondary effects such as building collapses, landslides, and tsunamis.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Avoiding collapses like the fourth quarter on Saturday will be paramount in doing so.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
The recent collapses were a result of hurricanes Humberto and Imelda, which made a mess of the Atlantic Ocean in the coastal waters off the Outer Banks.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
But the calamity sparked fears of similar collapses in other places.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
The Detroit Tigers have six games to avoid what could be one of the biggest collapses in franchise history.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapses
Verb
-
Ralphy leaps up in shock, tumbles off the sofa, and sprints toward his owner, who is filming nearby.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Easy to roll your eyes at from the opening scene and increasingly pigheaded in all of the ones that follow, Man-su starts off a long way from likable and tumbles much lower in our estimation from there.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
More Tips To Remove Stubborn Oil Stains If dish soap fails to remove an oil stain, try pre-treating it with an enzymatic liquid laundry detergent instead.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Cubs offense fails to deliver Chicago’s offense put little pressure on Milwaukee pitching all night.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Today's market compresses product life cycles down to quarters rather than years.—
Matthew Ross,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
In Pina and Martínez Lobato’s typical fleet fashion, the show compresses into its first six minutes the many extraordinary events of 22-year-old Max Varela’s (Pau Simón) life.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And the matchup gives the Rebels their chance to inflict back-to-back defeats upon the Bulldogs for the first time in almost 30 years.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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But their four defeats have come against Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City — and in two of those cases, the winning goal came in stoppage time.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Same goes for their boss, Jason Kidd.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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These two puzzles are both relevant to the fundamental properties and constituents of the Universe, but as far as the resolution goes, that will have to await our scientific future.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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At one point, Alex comes over to recheck his map and, seeing Rizo attempt to analyze his work, flops over on the puzzle, causing Rizo to pause.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Poetry condenses our chaotic emotions into words, giving form to formlessness.—
K.J.S. “Sunny” Anand,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
-
This foldable tote bag condenses down to almost nothing, but expands to hold everything from beach towels to a grocery haul.—
Julie Rousseau,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The parties' successes or failures at the top of the ticket are likely to impact down-ballot races.—
Margaret Barthel,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Pratt, who along with Heidi and other property owners has sued the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for its infrastructure failures, offers many grievances.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Collapses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapses. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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