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
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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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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
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Recent Examples of collapse
Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
Those talks collapsed in 2015, leading to crackdowns against the pro-Kurdish party, which has been accused by the Turkish government of having links to the PKK and its affiliates.
—Gul Tuysuz, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 11 July 2025
When people become cold and distrustful of one another, the notion of the common good collapses.
—Nathan Meyers, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Verb
Horse racing in Northern California has collapsed, leaving Southern California’s Del Mar, Santa Anita and Los Alamitos tracks as the only venues in the state.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
Those talks collapsed in 2015, leading to crackdowns against the pro-Kurdish party, which has been accused by the Turkish government of having links to the PKK and its affiliates.
—Gul Tuysuz, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
Noun
Now, season three is raising the stakes by bringing in the most relatable thing the show has done — the threat of the total collapse of civilization.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 11 July 2025
When people become cold and distrustful of one another, the notion of the common good collapses.
—Nathan Meyers, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for collapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapse
Verb
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The steps in a rehabilitation from injury or the buildup after time off are like dominoes in that one tumbles into the next.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
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Executives around the league wondered what would come next for the team that tumbled from the 2023-24 Presidents’ Trophy champions to out of the playoffs.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Khanna's measure failed on a 5-7 vote in the House Rules Committee, though Republican Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina voted with Democrats.—
Brittany Shepherd,
ABC News,
15 July 2025
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As things stand, Díaz could be the latest target Bayern fails to sign this summer.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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It's considered lossless to the eye, but the signal is actually compressed at a 3:1 ratio.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
13 July 2025
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However, extreme space weather events may compress – or in some cases, peel back – the Earth’s magnetic shield.—
Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti,
The Conversation,
11 July 2025
Noun
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The result can feel like exhaustion, even when the change is welcome.—
Inga Bielińska,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Just three years ago, voters recalled District Attorney Chesa Boudin, amid mounting exhaustion with progressive criminal justice policies.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
13 July 2025
Noun
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Sunday’s defeat capped a roller-coaster first half in which the Yankees jumped out to a 42-25 record, only to follow with a 6-16 skid that included two separate six-game losing streaks.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
13 July 2025
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And moments of a 3-2 defeat to the Sounders showed the gap between where KC is at compared to the true competitors in the league.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
13 July 2025
Verb
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The action by the state legislature, set to go into effect in 2026, has already led Scott to completely reshape the business model of what has been 7 Point Farm and Apothecary, formerly in the Midway Center on Lebanon Road.—
Maria Leontaras,
The Tennessean,
15 July 2025
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Yet analysts, employees and even the company have said Target faces issues that go well beyond the economy.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
15 July 2025
Verb
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However, tall varieties, which can reach 5 feet in height, should be staked to keep them upright and prevent them from flopping over nearby plants.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 July 2025
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During Fan Expo Denver, Fraser gave his take on why the follow-up flopped, per Collider.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Kalvin Phillips squeezes a pass through the gap and into Omari Hutchinson, taking three Forest players out of the game.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
Marlene alleged her son grabbed and started to squeeze her throat.—
Christine Pelisek,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Collapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapse. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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