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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of collapse
Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Since last summer’s parliamentary election failed to deliver a majority to any one party or bloc, two governments have collapsed amid dispute over the coming year’s budget — reigniting concerns the country is on an unsustainable fiscal track.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Port officials are still trying to determine the cause of the collapse.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Verb
After McVries chooses to sit down and accept his death and Stebbins (played in the movie by Garrett Wareing) collapses from exhaustion, Garraty is the only remaining walker.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Since last summer’s parliamentary election failed to deliver a majority to any one party or bloc, two governments have collapsed amid dispute over the coming year’s budget — reigniting concerns the country is on an unsustainable fiscal track.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
Advertisement Advertisement Lecornu’s appointment follows the collapse of France’s government after a vote of no confidence on Monday that ousted 74-year-old Francois Bayrou from the post.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Port officials are still trying to determine the cause of the collapse.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapse
Verb
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Hours after the initial shipping containers fell into the ocean, more containers tumbled onto the port side.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Sep. 2025
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Back in 2022, surging prices forced the Federal Reserve into aggressive rate-hiking mode, sending the S&P 500 tumbling 25%.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The panel studying those cases released a report last year describing how the state child welfare agency missed warning signs and failed to protect dozens of children from dying of the illicit drug.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
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Ultimately, the Bundys and five others were acquitted of all charges after jurors said prosecutors failed to prove their intent.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Both Michigan Central and Emergent Campus models compress this learning curve by integrating practical application from day one.—
Alison Griffin,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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According to Spotify, Bluetooth currently doesn’t provide enough bandwidth to transmit lossless audio, so the signal has to be compressed before being sent.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The pain goes deeper than exhaustion.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Men tumble into each other, frantically fighting to get back up, while others faint from exhaustion.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Biden and, by extension, Harris will be remembered even and perhaps especially by Democrats as symbolizing disappointment and defeat.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Austin Corbett used stronger terms to describe the mood following the 26-10 defeat.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While the most obvious advice is to not drive through deep floods, people want to get to their destinations and often go right into the asphalt swamp.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, on The Bold and the Beautiful, Ridge has had his own will-they-won't-they situation going with Rebecca Budig's Taylor Hayes.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Since this season’s halcyon days -- a weekend home sweep of the Yankees that got Miami even at 55-55 -- the Fish have flopped at 10-22 .—
Greg Cote
September 7,
Miami Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
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Cellphone bill flop prompts finger-pointing Hall seized on the vote breakdown as an example of Democratic lawmakers out of step with Whitmer and out of touch with public support for cellphone restrictions at school.—
Clara Hendrickson,
Freep.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The shakeups are the latest at a time when restaurants are squeezed between a labor shortage, rising food prices and a loss of customers as diners cut back on spending.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Sep. 2025
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For now, the three youngest each sleep in their own pack-and-plays squeezed into their parents’ bedroom.—
Jeff Truesdell,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Collapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapse. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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