implode

implode — verb

1. to fall violently toward the inside, typically because the external pressure is

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to fall violently toward the inside, typically because the external pressure is far greater than the internal pressure or because a structure's supports are removed

例句

The glass tank imploded when the air pressure inside dropped below the outside pressure.

implode + when a condition is met (pressure difference)

Deep-sea cargo containers sometimes implode from the enormous water pressure at that depth.

implode + from [cause]

同義詞
  • collapse

    more general — any falling down, not necessarily inward

  • cave in

    informal; describes the roof or sides falling inward

  • crumple

    suggests the material folds or wrinkles rather than bursting

反義詞
  • explode

    burst outward with force rather than inward

文法句型

implode + from [cause]

implode + under [pressure]

[container/structure] + implode

用法筆記

This sense is almost always intransitive; the thing that collapses is the subject. The cause is commonly introduced by 'from' or 'under'. Controlled demolition uses explosives to make a building implode so it falls into its own footprint.

常見錯誤

❌The bomb imploded the building.
✅The bomb made the building implode.
💡'implode' is intransitive in this sense; you cannot directly 'implode' something.
❌The glass exploded inward.
✅The glass imploded.
💡'implode' is the specific word for inward collapse; 'explode' means outward.

2. to fail or fall apart suddenly and completely, especially because of problems wi

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to fail or fall apart suddenly and completely, especially because of problems within the person, group, or system itself — for example, a company running out of cash after its founders fight, or a relationship ending after trust is broken

例句

João's tech startup imploded after the main investor suddenly pulled out their funding.

implode after a trigger event

Tara watched her carefully-made plans implode when her business partner quit without warning.

同義詞
  • collapse

    more general; can be slow or sudden, internal or external

  • crumble

    suggests a gradual breaking apart rather than a single sudden event

  • self-destruct

    emphasizes that the failure comes from within, usually by choice or flaw

反義詞
  • thrive

    to grow and succeed; the opposite of failing apart

  • flourish

    to prosper and expand, opposite of collapsing from within

文法句型

implode + from [internal cause]

implode + under [pressure/stress]

[organization/plan] + implode

用法筆記

The most common pattern for this sense is [organization/system/relationship] + implode + from/under [cause]. The cause is almost always internal — external forces may hurt a company, but 'implode' specifically suggests the damage came from within. Frequently used in news headlines about political and corporate collapses.

常見錯誤

❌The recession imploded the company.
✅The company imploded during the recession.
💡'implode' is intransitive; external factors like a recession are the context, not the direct agent.
❌The project slowly imploded over several years.
✅The project imploded suddenly last quarter.
💡'implode' describes a sudden, dramatic collapse, not a gradual decline.