COLLAPSE Synonyms: 208 Similar and Opposite Words

collapse 1 of 2

verb

kə-ˈlaps

Definition of collapse

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

collapse

2 of 2

noun

as in exhaustion

a complete depletion of energy or strength suffered a mental collapse under the strain of studying for his bar exam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 collapse

Verb

When collapsed, the lightweight bottle is compact enough to fit into any small purse or coat pocket. — Lara Kramer, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026 Teen sleep is quietly collapsing, and the device on the nightstand is a big reason why. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026

Noun

The fire caused catastrophic damage to the church, including the collapse of its roof. — Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026 When asked about the recent collapse of Situational Awareness, for which JPMorgan was one of the prime brokers, Dimon said the episode demonstrated that markets can absorb its failure without broader disruption. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for collapse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapse

Verb

Oil prices tumbled at the start of the week on optimism that a deal to reopen the strait could be imminent.

— Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
White, the former Illinois secretary of state, is on the Snowballs’ advisory board, and Emmanuel McGhee, the tumbling team’s head coach, is also a coach for the Snowballs.

— Chris Placek, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of tumble

Noun

When leaders pour their love into the world outside and don't save any for themselves, the difference leads to exhaustion.

— Gregory Stebbins, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Meganalisis said the results reflect a post-disaster mood defined by anger and emotional exhaustion.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhaustion

Noun

But the Cardinals surged with two outs in the fifth, rallying for three runs against Warren to deal the Yankees a 3-1 defeat and a series loss.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
The Nexstar-Tegna deal suffered a legal defeat in April 2026 when a court issued an injunction halting the companies from continuing with their merger integration in a lawsuit filed by eight state attorneys general.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

The Sparks outscored the Valkyries 31-20 in the fourth quarter as Golden State’s shooting went cold, but a couple of late clutch shots won the game after a 19-point lead was cut to one.

— Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
His attempt comes a year after a driver going 283 mph (455 kph) died trying to set a land speed record at Bonneville's annual Speed Week.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of go

Verb

Battered cars with numbers sprayed on their sides are whipping around the dirt track of the Lebanon Valley Speedway, loose fenders flopping like overgrown bangs in the swirling dust.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
The left is still on the verge of historic wins in Michigan (though Kyle Blomquist, the Democratic Socialists of America’s candidate, flopped in the mostly rural 1st District, where Republicans are favored to win in November).

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of flop

Verb

Rising costs have hit lower-income Americans the hardest, squeezing their discretionary spending.

— Michelle Chapman, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Missouri Republicans redrew their map to squeeze Democrats, while Virginia moved its primary from June to August for a Democratic redistricting push that courts ultimately threw out.

— Maham Javaid, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of squeeze

Browse Nearby Words

collages

collapse

collapsed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Collapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapse. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of collapse

verb

noun

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