as in failing
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of collapsing
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
But those assumptions are collapsing under the weight of new realities.
—Klaus Schwab, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Bending without breaking When Ramachandran and Mu began their research in 2021, their early samples kept collapsing during charging cycles.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Some of the houses collapsing now once sat much further back on the beach.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
The show is dedicated to the sacrifices made by the suffragettes — hunger strikes, blood on the brow, bodies collapsing from exhaustion — but what’s not to be forgotten is that mothers, daughters and sisters were there for legacy.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
The broader argument, Piker insists, is about posture—how Democrats present themselves in a political landscape reshaped by online media, generational resentment, and collapsing trust in institutions.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Because the entire system is collapsing under Labour.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, Overshown returned to the practice field for the first time since collapsing to the turf at AT&T Stadium.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
We’re used to seeing Survivor players doubling over or collapsing after an exhausting challenge in intense heat.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
But those assumptions are collapsing under the weight of new realities.
—Klaus Schwab, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Bending without breaking When Ramachandran and Mu began their research in 2021, their early samples kept collapsing during charging cycles.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Some of the houses collapsing now once sat much further back on the beach.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
The show is dedicated to the sacrifices made by the suffragettes — hunger strikes, blood on the brow, bodies collapsing from exhaustion — but what’s not to be forgotten is that mothers, daughters and sisters were there for legacy.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
The broader argument, Piker insists, is about posture—how Democrats present themselves in a political landscape reshaped by online media, generational resentment, and collapsing trust in institutions.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Because the entire system is collapsing under Labour.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, Overshown returned to the practice field for the first time since collapsing to the turf at AT&T Stadium.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapsing
Verb
-
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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When a school receives five failing ratings, a 2015 Texas law requires the campus in question be closed or a state takeover of the entire district.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Nov. 2025
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Howe made three changes at half-time — Ramsey for Gordon, Osula for Woltemade, Schar for Krafth — but if anything, Newcastle regressed, failing to manage a shot on target between the 39th and 89th minute.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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According to the team, the process mimics the geological conditions that form fossil fuels, compressing wet biomass at high temperatures and pressures to produce biocrude.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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The mass on the ovary can also push onto the urinary system, compressing your bladder and creating a feeling of having to urinate constantly.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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With its shorter, non-folding collar, a mock neck gives you that same cozy feel as a turtleneck — without bunching or folding over.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
1 Nov. 2025
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Samsung’s tri-folding phone could be expensive and niche like its Galaxy Z Fold, which only recently began gaining traction.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Unharmed species can fill the gaps left behind, keeping the ecosystem tumbling along.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Despite the latest meme stock frenzy, Beyond Meat has nonetheless still fallen 23% so far in 2025 after tumbling 58% in 2024.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Van Gogh, now visually fitting in with his family, then scampered about his habitat with his ears flopping along with him.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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With Ares flopping, the insider says Leto’s currency in town has run colder than Morbius’ vampire blood.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The thick elastic waistband fits snugly without squeezing, and the wide legs are flowy and casual, giving even more movement with subtle pleats at the front.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
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Raise your arms, legs and head (in a neutral position) off the mat, squeezing your glutes and bracing your core.—
Leoni Jesner,
Health,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Its share price collapsed a few months after going public, losing a third of its value since the start of the year before Monday's news.—
NPR,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
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The honks of wild Canada geese, for instance, fresh out of the Arctic and now high in the clouds going south, signal a change in seasons for me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Collapsing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapsing. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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