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col·lapse

collapse

 
 
pronunciation:
k laeps
parts of speech:
intransitive verb, transitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: collapses, collapsing, collapsed
definition 1: to fall down; give way; cave in.
The bridge collapsed because of high winds and faulty design.
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synonyms:
break, buckle, cave in, crumple, founder, give, sink, tumble
antonyms:
endure
similar words:
break down, crack, crumble, explode, give way, slump, succumb, weaken
definition 2: to stop functioning or end suddenly; fail.
After the recent bombings, the peace talks collapsed.
synonyms:
break down, die, fail, founder
similar words:
abort, bite the dust, break, fall off, falter, flop, fold, frazzle, go to pot, miscarry, peter out, stall
definition 3: to be constructed so as to become more compact by folding, as chairs or tables.
These chairs collapse, so they're easy to take in the car.
synonyms:
fold
definition 4: to become suddenly incapacitated or unconscious because of disease or exhaustion.
She collapsed from a heart attack.
similar words:
break down, crack, drop, faint, fold, keel over, sicken, succumb, swoon, weaken
 
part of speech: transitive verb
definition: to cause to collapse.
The movers collapsed all the folding chairs.
synonyms:
fold
similar words:
topple, tumble
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part of speech: noun
definition 1: a sudden falling down or inward.
There was a report of a collapse in the mine.
synonyms:
cave-in, crash
similar words:
break, buckling, catastrophe, failure, fall, plump, ruin, slump
definition 2: a sudden breakdown, as from stress or disease.
After his collapse, his doctor put him in the hospital for tests.
synonyms:
breakdown
similar words:
attack, crack-up, decline, exhaustion, nervous breakdown, relapse, seizure, stroke, tailspin
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