BUCKLING Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

buckling

verb

present participle of buckle

as in collapsing

to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure the flimsy bridge buckled under the weight of the caravan of trucks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in devoting

to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention buckled himself down and finished the assignment in record time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of buckling When a buckling spring switch is depressed, a capacitive flipper attached to the bottom of the switch’s spring is forced forward. — ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026 His characters confront moments of reckoning—some comic, others karmic, often both—where self-belief collides with a buckling status quo. — Ryan Chapman, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026 Retail spending has trended lower in recent months, and the weak July reading raised questions whether the mighty US consumer might finally be buckling under the weight of higher inflation, mounting consumer debt and persistent economic uncertainty. — Matt Stiles, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026 Ben’s view Glover’s argument to keep away from Big Tech is indicative of the reality in Washington that the US political system is buckling in the face of ascendant corporate and tech power. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Errol Flynn has never been better than in this buckling charmer. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026 Besides a seat belt’s safety factor, buckling in can also prevent you from a hefty fine from law enforcement. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 July 2026 As the front end accelerates, the downstream workflows responsible for adapting and validating that content are buckling under the pressure. — Benjamin Faes, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Shortly after, the Fire Department responded to a report from construction workers that some of the steel support columns on the twenty-first floor were buckling. — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 11 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buckling

Verb

The cost of creating plausible false identities is collapsing.

— Joao Gomes, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
The public must contend head-on with a collapsing currency and runaway inflation, and to ordinary Iranians, describing the present situation as sustainable would sound almost obscene.

— Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of collapsing

Verb

It’s been long rumored that Bundchen filed for the D word because she was fed up with Brady devoting himself to his career.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026
Instead of promoting the new album, George mostly ignored his own catalog, devoting two-thirds of the set to oldies by his heroes, including David Bowie, Chaka Khan, Culture Club, and Elton John.

— Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of devoting

Verb

But Mulderrig’s red Harley-Davidson Sportster slammed into the rear passenger side of Oates’ Cadillac, crumpling the back corner and twisting the wheel out of shape.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Euphoric players cavorting in disbelief, long-suffering fans crumpling to their knees in tears, commentators’ voices cracking at the drama of it all.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Definition of crumpling

Verb

The team is currently applying this approach to devices installed across wall panels or doors to harvest ambient temperature differences.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026
British police acknowledged applying for the warrants under the wrong statutory provision, the judge said while stipulating that the misconduct investigation against the king's brother could continue.

— Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of applying

Verb

Laura, though, moved away rather than toward, bending to fit the angle of the rafters, searching for the cool shadow at her back.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
For the flexibility assessment, the app guides you through various movements, such as raising your arms and bending your legs.

— Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of bending

Verb

There, local fishermen demonstrated their sustainable crayfish harvesting process, and as a spectacular touch, the helicopter lifted one of the crayfish tanks straight out of the ocean, giving our client a dramatic view of the abundant catch.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
The other group is a little more spread out, giving more opportunity.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026