collapse

¹col·lapse

verb \kə-ˈlaps\

col·lapsedcol·laps·ing

Definition of COLLAPSE

intransitive verb

1

: to fall or shrink together abruptly and completely : fall into a jumbled or flattened mass through the force of external pressure <a blood vessel that collapsed>

2

: to break down completely : disintegrate <his case had collapsed in a mass of legal wreckage — Erle Stanley Gardner>

3

: to cave or fall in or give way <the bridge collapsed>

4

: to suddenly lose force, significance, effectiveness, or worth <fears that the currency may collapse>

5

: to break down in vital energy, stamina, or self-control through exhaustion or disease; especially : to fall helpless or unconscious

6

: to fold down into a more compact shape <a chair that collapses>

transitive verb

1

: to cause to collapse <buildings collapsed by an earthquake>

2

: condense <collapse several stories into one>

— col·laps·ibil·i·ty \-ˌlap-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— col·laps·ible \-ˈlap-sə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of COLLAPSE

1. The roof collapsed under a heavy load of snow.
2. The chair he was sitting in collapsed.
3. He collapsed on stage during the performance and had to be rushed to the hospital.
4. She came home from work and collapsed on the sofa.
5. The crying child ran to his mother and collapsed in her arms.
6. The civilization collapsed for reasons that are still unknown.
7. He warned that such measures could cause the economy to collapse.

Origin of COLLAPSE

Latin collapsus, past participle of collabi, from com- + labi to fall, slide — more at sleep

First Known Use: 1732

Related to COLLAPSE

Synonyms: buckle, cave (in), crumple, founder, give, go, go out, implode, tumble, yield, give way

Antonyms: click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, succeed, work out

Related Words: deflate, flatten, melt, melt down; break, break down, conk (out), crash, die, fail, give out, stall; burst, shatter, smash, splinter, split; crack, crumble, pop, snap

Near Antonyms: inflate, rise, swell

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with COLLAPSE

elapse, perhaps, prolapse, relapse, synapse, time-lapse