as in failing
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 collapsing
Robert Lea, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2026
And what's the difference between weakening and collapsing?
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
That was followed days later by an executive abruptly collapsing during questioning and being taken away by ambulance, only for doctors to later find no serious medical issue, the media report said.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
The allegations have put a pall over the efforts of the Kenyan mission, which while not successful in returning security and stability to Haiti, has been credited with stopping the situation from completely collapsing.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Cuba’s once-vaunted health system is collapsing.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 Apr. 2026
Many fled political persecution and violence, but also the country’s collapsing economy.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
The glass sliding door living room window broke too, and the deck outside was torn apart, the deck floor collapsing to the ground.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
The second force is collapsing barriers to entry.
—Michael Jacobides, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
As this process is the main source of energy produced by the sun, this will mean the outward pressure that stops the sun from collapsing under its own gravity also ceases.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2026
And what's the difference between weakening and collapsing?
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
That was followed days later by an executive abruptly collapsing during questioning and being taken away by ambulance, only for doctors to later find no serious medical issue, the media report said.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
The allegations have put a pall over the efforts of the Kenyan mission, which while not successful in returning security and stability to Haiti, has been credited with stopping the situation from completely collapsing.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Cuba’s once-vaunted health system is collapsing.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 Apr. 2026
Many fled political persecution and violence, but also the country’s collapsing economy.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
The glass sliding door living room window broke too, and the deck outside was torn apart, the deck floor collapsing to the ground.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
The second force is collapsing barriers to entry.
—Michael Jacobides, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapsing
Adjective
-
The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.—
Noah Alcala Bach,
San Antonio Express-News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Moses Moody scored 23 points before crumpling to the floor with an apparently serious left knee injury late in overtime as the Golden State Warriors beat Dallas 137-131 on Monday night, extending the Mavericks' home losing streak to 12 games, their longest in 32 years.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The Material steak knives arrived sharp, slicing through a piece of paper rather than crumpling its edge.—
Emily Johnson,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This was inevitable after McCollum inadvertently kicked Jalen Brunson in the groin, then accused the Knicks star of flopping in Game 1; and then got into a heated spat with Jose Alvarado before sinking the game-winning jumper in Game 2.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Meyers asked if Winkler had any sense during previews that the show was flopping.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In practice, this looks like development timelines compressing because approvals and feasibility checks move earlier.—
John Brearley,
Footwear News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Recognizing an opening, navigating unfamiliar terrain outside the tank, identifying a viable route to the ocean and then physically compressing through a drainpipe — that is not a simple reflex.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Most folding bookshelves are made from lightweight materials such as wood, bamboo or metal.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The three units feature the same folding action and design, but certain specs vary.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On Friday, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz fully open to commercial traffic, sending crude prices tumbling more than 10%.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Oil prices and stock futures began tumbling yesterday as tensions renewed in the strait, which carries a fifth of the world's oil supply as well as a large amount of liquid natural has and fertilizer.—
Will Clark,
NBC news,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That leaves firms which relied on cheap, abundant credit during the low-rate era of 2010s and early 2020s more exposed, with weaker companies struggling to roll over debt or exit investments.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Despite Magic guard Desmond Bane, clearly under the weather, struggling from beyond the arc but still managing to contribute 17 points.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Medical cost inflation surged, squeezing margins and forcing guidance lower, while Washington added uncertainty around reimbursements and oversight.—
Jay Woods,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
-
At the same time, inflation has ticked higher yet again, squeezing budgets and leaving less room for aggressive repayment strategies.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Collapsing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapsing. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
