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

His message delivery is no more successful than Todd’s, and now the entire conference is in danger of collapsing.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
The wounded man fled across the parking lot before collapsing near Seminary Drive, where responding officers attempted lifesaving measures.

— Giles Hudson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of collapsing

Verb

The impact could be significant in terms of medical costs and devoting more funding toward actual care rather than other costs.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
The series tries to link all these women together into a tapestry of feminist frustration by devoting a few minutes at the beginning of each episode to an unnamed narrator telling different tales of misunderstood women throughout history.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 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

Available pre-mixed in tubs, thinset is the standard material for applying—and reapplying—tile to walls or floors.

— Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 Oct. 2026
Only one parent called to vent about the university’s response to the lawsuit, but her son was still planning on applying early decision.

— Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of applying

Verb

When the Americans failed to pressure Guijarro some 25 yards out, the Spanish captain ripped a bending effort that nestled in goalkeeper Claudia Dickey’s netting.

— Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026
With Pharrell Williams steering the production ship, the Athens, Georgia native wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to create his most cohesive, genre-bending body of work to date.

— Mikey Fresh, VIBE.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of bending

Verb

By the time Lee’s moved on to thanking his dad for not believing him, thereby giving him something to prove, an embarrassed Frances is making a quick run for the exit.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
On Tuesday, Reuters reported that Riyadh was planning to make FII a hybrid event, giving executives the option to take part remotely.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026