implode

verb

im·​plode im-ˈplōd 

imploded; imploding

intransitive verb

1

a

: to burst inward

a blow causing a vacuum tube to implode

b

: to undergo violent compression

massive stars which implode

2

: to collapse inward as if from external pressure

also : to become greatly reduced as if from collapsing

3

: to break down or fall apart from within : self-destruct

the firm … imploded from greed and factionalism

—Jan Hoffman

transitive verb

: to cause to implode

Synonyms

• buckle
• cave (in)
• collapse
• crumple
• founder
• give
• go
• go out
• tumble
• yield

Examples of implode in a Sentence

a controlled demolition during which the entire building imploded in a matter of seconds

Recent Examples on the Web

Serial entrepreneur, investor and lawyer Patrick Esposito, president of ACME General Corp, suggests that companies implode because of these five mistakes. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025

The world was taken aback when the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led an offensive that in mere weeks forced the regime to implode. —Karam Shaar, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2024

When Enron imploded amid its massive accounting scandal in 2001, Coca-Cola swooped in and took over naming rights. —Jay R. Jordan, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024

The pressure becomes so intense that the human body would implode; you would be squashed. —Benjamin Roulston, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

in- entry 2 + -plode (as in explode)

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

implode

verb

im·​plode im-ˈplōd 

imploded; imploding

: to burst inward