implode

American  

[im-plohd] / ɪmˈploʊd /

verb (used without object)

imploded, imploding

1. to burst inward (explode ).

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verb (used with object)

imploded, imploding

1. Phonetics. to pronounce by implosion.

implode British  

/ ɪmˈpləʊd /

verb

1. to collapse or cause to collapse inwards in a violent manner as a result of external pressure

   the vacuum flask imploded

2. (tr) to pronounce (a consonant) with or by implosion

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Etymology

Origin of implode

First recorded in 1880–85; im- ¹ + (ex)plode

Example Sentences

The future isn’t so bright for employees of companies that imploded because of a scandal that involved fraud, court trials and widespread news coverage, the researchers found.

From The Wall Street Journal

One way or another it will fall, either through toppling or imploding from within.

From The Wall Street Journal

The cost of corporate debt compared with Treasurys jumped after hedge fund Long-Term Capital Management imploded.

From The Wall Street Journal

The female anchor smiles like she’s discussing a fabulous green bean recipe, not my imploding life.

From Literature

Mid flow, the tense of her sentences changed from the past to the present, almost as if she was transported back to the moment her life imploded.

From BBC

Related Words

• cave in
• fall down