1
as in to tumble
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 to fail
to be unsuccessful
the legal case collapsed in the face of the opposition's evidence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to compress
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in exhaustion
a complete depletion of energy or strength
suffered a mental collapse under the strain of studying for his bar exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in defeat
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 collapse
Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 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
Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
Wasting their playoff standing, holding the top National League wild-card spot by a game over the San Diego Padres, would be an especially painful collapse given how well the Cubs played the first three months.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Verb
Those along the East Coast would be particularly affected by the major rise in sea levels if the AMOC collapses, facing increased and extreme flooding, even in the absence of storms.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 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
Noun
The German collapse in April 1945 allowed the Americans to survive.
—Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
Wasting their playoff standing, holding the top National League wild-card spot by a game over the San Diego Padres, would be an especially painful collapse given how well the Cubs played the first three months.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapse
Verb
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Just hours after Strand Larsen’s tumbling finish was followed by a towering header to turn a 2-1 deficit into a place in the third round, Wolves rejected a second bid worth £55million ($74m) for the giant No 9.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
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In mid-May, at about ten thousand feet above sea level, a rocky mountainside in the Swiss Alps gave way and tumbled onto a field of ice called the Birch Glacier.—
Daniel A. Gross,
New Yorker,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The suit said that the center was built without ecological reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act and without public notice or comment and that the government failed to comply with other state and federal statutes, including the Endangered Species Act.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
22 Aug. 2025
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After three bargaining sessions this week failed to produce a new contract, union officials announced Thursday night that Naperville School District 203 teachers will go on strike Tuesday.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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With dry powder and capital commitments accelerating, competition has intensified — spreads are compressing, and investors are asking: Where does the real edge come from now?—
Rocio Wu,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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Made by compressing wool fibers using only soap, water, and friction, the material doesn’t just keep you warm in the winter.—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Each can have different side effects, including dizziness, rapid or slower heart rate, exhaustion, upset stomach and swelling in the legs.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
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When a wave of illness finally makes its way through the household, most families feel equal parts relief and exhaustion.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Fuller’s book Yoga was still being reissued decades after the military defeat of Nazism.—
Stewart Home
August 22,
Literary Hub,
22 Aug. 2025
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The 1-0 defeat served as the final test event before Everton’s new 52,769-capacity home, situated on Liverpool’s waterfront, opens for competitive action this weekend against Brighton & Hove Albion.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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George Springer helped lead Toronto’s offense, going 3 for 6 with a solo homer, a double and an RBI single.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
24 Aug. 2025
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Primrose ended up in the shelter after her previous owner went into assisted living.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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One more common mistake: Fertilizing your lavender, which can result in overly leggy lavender that flops over.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
21 Aug. 2025
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Fisher flopped at Texas A&M and walked away with the largest buyout in college football history — $77.5 million — without ever even reaching the College Football Playoff while in College Station.—
Chase Goodbread,
The Tennessean,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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They have been squeezed at both ends: preparation curtailed by a post-season Club World Cup, but also a transfer deadline that caused deep uncertainty over the future of several players, as well as the size of squad Guardiola will have to manage.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
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Rinse the butter by kneading it and squeezing it in the ice bath.—
Elizabeth Karmel,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Collapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapse. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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