1
as in tumbles
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 fails
to be unsuccessful
the legal case collapsed in the face of the opposition's evidence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in compresses
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
as in defeats
a falling short of one's goals
the complete collapse of the invasion set off a round of finger-pointing and recrimination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of collapses
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
That argument collapses under the slightest scrutiny.
—Randy Linville, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026
German possibilities include Tony Vahl’s drama Crux, unfolding in a German village as social order collapses at the end of World War II; Valeska Grisebach’s The Dreamed Adventure; and Werner Herzog’s Bucking Fastards.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
Nobody knows who might get it if Iran’s government collapses.
—Matthew Bunn, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
The questions are real — middle-of-field volume, under-center experience, and whether his game has enough improv juice when structure collapses — but the résumé is too strong to shrug off.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Martha collapses into Margo’s giant black coat, which looks like a parachute.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Salting draws out surface moisture and slightly collapses those air pockets, making the flesh denser and less likely to absorb excess oil.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 11 Mar. 2026
The game between Dallas and the Columbus Blue Jackets is postponed by the NHL after Stars forward Rich Peverley collapses on the bench during the first period.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Building collapses are common in Nairobi, where housing is in high demand and unscrupulous developers often bypass regulations or simply violate building codes.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Homogeneous teams miss these fault lines until systems break — or trust collapses — often after damage has already been done.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
The study found that, as the frequency of GNTW increases, emotional attachment to clothing collapses.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2026
The settlement agreement called for Encinitas to increase public awareness about the risks of bluff collapses, including posting new signage and providing additional training for beach lifeguards.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Ownership struggles, wars, economic collapses, and the ever-evolving tribulations of the automotive business brought constant change.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
But the secondary was an issue for the Rams throughout the last three seasons, and especially in 2025 as breakdowns led to several regular-season collapses and the NFC championship game loss to Seattle.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
That’s the strange paradox of collapses in sports.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
Trump has alluded to this possible dearth of popular support when asked about the possibility of backing Pahlavi to lead the country if the regime collapses.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
That argument collapses under the slightest scrutiny.
—Randy Linville, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026
German possibilities include Tony Vahl’s drama Crux, unfolding in a German village as social order collapses at the end of World War II; Valeska Grisebach’s The Dreamed Adventure; and Werner Herzog’s Bucking Fastards.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
Nobody knows who might get it if Iran’s government collapses.
—Matthew Bunn, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
The questions are real — middle-of-field volume, under-center experience, and whether his game has enough improv juice when structure collapses — but the résumé is too strong to shrug off.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Martha collapses into Margo’s giant black coat, which looks like a parachute.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Salting draws out surface moisture and slightly collapses those air pockets, making the flesh denser and less likely to absorb excess oil.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 11 Mar. 2026
The game between Dallas and the Columbus Blue Jackets is postponed by the NHL after Stars forward Rich Peverley collapses on the bench during the first period.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
In the Santiago de Cuba province, housing damage was particularly severe, with 95,000 homes affected, 2,300 total collapses, and 6,000 complete roof failures.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Building collapses are common in Nairobi, where housing is in high demand and unscrupulous developers often bypass regulations or simply violate building codes.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Homogeneous teams miss these fault lines until systems break — or trust collapses — often after damage has already been done.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
The study found that, as the frequency of GNTW increases, emotional attachment to clothing collapses.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2026
The settlement agreement called for Encinitas to increase public awareness about the risks of bluff collapses, including posting new signage and providing additional training for beach lifeguards.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Ownership struggles, wars, economic collapses, and the ever-evolving tribulations of the automotive business brought constant change.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
But the secondary was an issue for the Rams throughout the last three seasons, and especially in 2025 as breakdowns led to several regular-season collapses and the NFC championship game loss to Seattle.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
That’s the strange paradox of collapses in sports.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collapses
Verb
-
There's something so timeless and romantic about hair that almost audibly tumbles down one's back.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Regrettably, the series fully tumbles downhill in Episode 3.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If the Senate fails to pass it, what happens?—
Allison Pecorin,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Finally, the court will determine whether the TPS holders equal-protection claim fails on the merits.—
Zoe Sobel,
NPR,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The back line compresses space, the midfield disrupts passing lanes and Ferree has commanded his box with composure beyond his years.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Most have a double-zipper system, with one zipper to close the cube and a second zipper that compresses it to a fraction of its full size.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Wolves snapped a three-game skid — all of those double-digit defeats, including 153-128 at the Clippers on Wednesday — following a five-game winning streak.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Evans’ loss coupled with final four defeats for Oak Ridge, Lake Mary, Lake Howell and Central Florida Christian Academy marks the fourth year in a row in which no Orlando area boys basketball teams captured a state title.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The experience stands out, either because of some exceptional food items or an aspect of hospitality that goes above and beyond.—
Henri Hollis,
AJC.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Since speed dating only made Taylor more nervous, Jessi goes ahead and hires the dating coach who organized the speed-dating event to give Taylor some one-on-one tutelage.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fortunately for shareholders, the stock grants come with a feature similar to equity options that somewhat reduces Musk’s payday, especially in a case like the one above where the plan flops.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
29 Nov. 2025
-
Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The network does not air the BAFTAs live, but edits and condenses the three-hour show into a two-hour program to be broadcast later.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Without good ventilation, the warm steam cools and condenses on walls, floors, and other surfaces.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Ford’s deployment is notable not only for its length but also its pace, with operations in two hemispheres, combat in the Middle East, and maintenance challenges, including recurring plumbing failures that drew public attention.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
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The foundation said that besides Lee's 911 call, at least four other 911 calls were made by others that day, including from her husband and people who saw parts of the crime unfolding -- but that communication failures and other issues prevented help from being sent.—
DAVID FISCHER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Collapses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collapses. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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