as in failing
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1
as in crumpling
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flopping
to be unsuccessful
the legal case collapsed in the face of the opposition's evidence
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in compressing
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of collapsing
Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
The shooting intensifies a person, identified as Husien, emerges from the driver’s seat of the police vehicle and runs a few dozen yards away before collapsing.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The shooting intensifies as a person emerges from the driver’s seat of the police vehicle and runs a few dozen yards away before collapsing.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
On December 28th of 2025, protests started in Iran’s capital in response to soaring prices and a collapsing economy.
—Ellie Austin, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
The Heat couldn’t take advantage, though, collapsing down the stretch.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
But from a psychological perspective, the ability to hold contradiction without collapsing is a hallmark of sophisticated thinking.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The demonstrations, which seem to have partially subsided in recent days, began in the bazaars of Tehran on 28 December, fuelled by anger over Iran’s collapsing currency, and spread across the country.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 17 Jan. 2026
Pollion woke up screaming and tried to back away down the train car aisle before collapsing, prosecutors said.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
Iran claims to have restored order following the nationwide demonstrations that began spreading late last year over the country's collapsing currency and spiraling prices.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
The shooting intensifies a person, identified as Husien, emerges from the driver’s seat of the police vehicle and runs a few dozen yards away before collapsing.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The shooting intensifies as a person emerges from the driver’s seat of the police vehicle and runs a few dozen yards away before collapsing.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
On December 28th of 2025, protests started in Iran’s capital in response to soaring prices and a collapsing economy.
—Ellie Austin, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
The Heat couldn’t take advantage, though, collapsing down the stretch.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
But from a psychological perspective, the ability to hold contradiction without collapsing is a hallmark of sophisticated thinking.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The demonstrations, which seem to have partially subsided in recent days, began in the bazaars of Tehran on 28 December, fuelled by anger over Iran’s collapsing currency, and spread across the country.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 17 Jan. 2026
Pollion woke up screaming and tried to back away down the train car aisle before collapsing, prosecutors said.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapsing
Verb
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The sixth inning also featured a frightening moment when Cleveland’s David Fry, squaring around to bunt, took a 99 mph fastball from Skubal off his face, crumpling to the dirt as Skubal reacted with distress.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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Singh’s truck blocked both lanes of the northbound Turnpike, leading the Chrysler Town & Country minivan the three friends were riding in to slam into the semi’s 18-wheeler trailer, crumpling underneath it.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Earlier this month, McIntyre, who’d been feuding with Fatu prior to Fatu’s TV absence, finally toppled Rhodes after previously failing to do so multiple occasions.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Prior to Gonzales’ trial, Eiglarsh told CNN there was a wide gap between an officer failing to follow proper protocol and acting criminally.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Additionally, the development of sleet or freezing rain during a snowstorm will greatly reduce the total amount of snow accumulation because the sleet or freezing rain takes the place of additional snowfall while compressing the depth of any snow that fell before.—
Grant Gilmore,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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This shift is expanding access, compressing timelines, and redefining where judgment lives in the investment process.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The first few generations of those devices had subpar cameras compared to standard, non-folding phones and a visible crease running down the middle, among other shortcomings.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Samsung has equipped the TriFold with 45-watt wired and 15-watt wireless charging, while Vivo’s non-folding X300 Pro, for example, reaches 90 watts wired and 40 watts wirelessly, and has a larger battery to boot.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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That second train, which was operated by Renfe, the national rail company of Spain, also derailed and was sent tumbling down a 13-foot embankment, officials say.—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
19 Jan. 2026
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The move sent stock markets tumbling.—
Inu Manak,
Time,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And the brands that are flopping are the ones that are too safe.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
19 Dec. 2025
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If the main trunk of the jade has gotten wildly overgrown and is flopping over under its own weight, lop it off.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The Real Measure of Success in 2026 Productivity in 2026 won’t be about squeezing more into your day.—
Luciana Paulise,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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This helps to prevent squeezing and mitigates friction on the feet for lasting comfort.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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San Jose was seventh in MLS with 60 goals scored while going 11-15-8 last season.—
Mercury News,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
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But most of its richest pleasures come down to Fiennes going balls to the wall with a truly memorable character — half lunatic and half visionary.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Collapsing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapsing. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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