implode
Violently cave in
To implode is to collapse violently inward, the opposite of explode.
A building implodes when demolished by controlled explosives.
Deep-sea vessels implode under extreme water pressure.
Figuratively, things implode when they fail catastrophically from internal pressures: The company imploded after the scandal.
Their marriage imploded.
Underground passage collapse
- crumbleFragment gradually
- buckleFrame-and-prong fastener
- compressReduce volume by force
- contractEnforceable written agreement
crush · fold · shrink · deflate · subside · tumble · wreckage · ruins
Failure or decomposition
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- crumbleFragment gradually
- shatterFragment violently, suddenly
unravel · spiral · collapse · withdraw · internalize · suppress · buckle · crisis
Catastrophic loss of control
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- unravelSeparate intertwined strands
- disintegrateBreak into fragments
- fiascoHumiliating public failure
debacle · collapse · backfire · malfunction · flop · misfire · self-destruct · botch
Disperse into liquid
- disbandFormally end a group
- disintegrateBreak into fragments
- collapseSudden structural failure
- foldBend onto itself
fail · bankrupt · downfall · demise · unravel · dysfunction · mismanagement · exodus
cave-in
Underground passage collapse
contract · crush · fold · shrink · deflate · subside · tumble · wreckage · ruins · debris
breakdown
Failure or decomposition
shatter · unravel · spiral · collapse · withdraw · internalize · suppress · buckle · crisis · burnout
meltdown
Catastrophic loss of control
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- unravelSeparate intertwined strands
- disintegrateBreak into fragments
fiasco · debacle · collapse · backfire · malfunction · flop · misfire · self-destruct · botch · derail
dissolve
Disperse into liquid
- disbandFormally end a group
- disintegrateBreak into fragments
- collapseSudden structural failure
fold · fail · bankrupt · downfall · demise · unravel · dysfunction · mismanagement · exodus · restructure
- collapsecollapse, cave in, cave-in, fall in, give way
- destruction verbsdestroy, demolish, wreck, ruin, smash
- failingfail, fails, collapse, flop, bomb
- failuresfailure, failures, flop, flops, bust
- inward movementinhale, absorb, intake, retract, withdraw
- science verbsabsorb, accelerate, attract, bounce, collide