collapse

Nouns

  • (n) an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion
    • the commander's prostration demoralized his men
    prostration,
  • (n) a natural event caused by something suddenly falling down or caving in
    • the roof is in danger of collapse
    • the collapse of the old star under its own gravity
  • (n) the act of throwing yourself down
    • he landed on the bed with a great flop
    flop,
  • (n) a sudden large decline of business or the prices of stocks (especially one that causes additional failures) crash,

Verbs

  • (v) break down, literally or metaphorically
    • The wall collapsed
    • The business collapsed
    • The dam broke
    • The roof collapsed
    • The wall gave in
    • The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice
    cave in, fall in, give way, founder, give, break,
  • (v) collapse due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack break down,
  • (v) fold or close up
    • fold up your umbrella
    • collapse the music stand
  • (v) fall apart
    • the building crumbled after the explosion
    • Negotiations broke down
    crumble, crumple, break down, tumble,
  • (v) cause to burst
    • The ice broke the pipe
    burst,
  • (v) suffer a nervous breakdown crack up, crock up, break up, crack,
  • (v) lose significance, effectiveness, or value
    • The school system is collapsing
    • The stock market collapsed

Synonyms

prostration cave in fall in give way founder give break break down flop crash crumble crumple tumble burst crack up crock up break up crack

Words of close approximity