implodes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "implodes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something collapses inwardly or fails dramatically, often used metaphorically in various contexts. Example: "The company's financial strategy was so flawed that it eventually implodes, leaving investors in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Wicked fan, a One Direction fan and a Glee fan walk into a cinema... and the internet implodes.

The Guardian

If the real-estate market implodes the banking system may also go down in its wake.Sanjay BhatiaMumbaiHealth prioritiesSIR – It would be wonderful if Ghana's per-person health budget were "$31 per day" ("New vaccines for old killers", February 17th).

The Economist

The prime minister, Valdis Dombrovskis, is refusing to make the spending cuts mandated by international lenders and has floated a new law that would partially expropriate foreign banks' loan books.It would be worrying enough if the European Union's weakest economy defaults, devalues or implodes.

The Economist

If the real estate market implodes the banking system may also go down in its wake causing much distress.Yours truly,Sanjay Bhatia.

The Economist

But will his intervention be required?As the PdL implodes, the odds shorten on a left-wing victory.

The Economist

The author delineates the inexorable welfare dependency, petty crime and drug and alcohol abuse that follow when the infrastructure of steady employment implodes.

The Economist

President Hu, for his part, is a frequent traveller to the Middle East.This "axis of state capitalism" is gaining an ideological edge as the emerging world goes from strength to strength, America pulls in its horns, Europe implodes and the G20 takes over from the G7.

The Economist

If he fails, and the nation implodes, the disaster could suck the neighbours into a black hole of chaos.With Nigeria and Sudan, Congo is one of three non-functioning giants of Africa.

The Economist

He increases the twisting until the position implodes, and a high-speed chain-reaction of adjustment and counter-adjustment is set in train.

The Economist

The beams should compress the sphere so rapidly that it implodes, squeezing deuterium and tritium nuclei together until they overcome their mutual repulsion and fuse to form helium (two protons and two neutrons) together with a surplus neutron and a lot of heat.

The Economist

The risk, however, is that the chaos of hyperinflation will give way to the chaos of a financial system that simply implodes, as dollarisation proves unsustainable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "implodes" to vividly describe situations where internal forces cause a sudden and dramatic collapse, whether literal or metaphorical. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the inward nature of the destruction.

Common error

Avoid using "implodes" when a simpler term like "collapses" or "fails" would suffice. The dramatic connotation of "implodes" should be reserved for situations that warrant it.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "implodes" is as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form. It describes an action of collapsing inwardly or failing dramatically. Ludwig confirms this correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "implodes" is a grammatically sound verb that effectively conveys a sense of dramatic, inward collapse or failure. As Ludwig confirms, the word is used correctly in a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media to describe situations where things fall apart with an inward motion or from internal forces. Though versatile, writers should be mindful of its strong connotations and reserve it for appropriately impactful scenarios. Alternatives such as "collapses" or "falls apart" may be more suitable in less dramatic cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collapses

This term is a more general synonym, indicating a breakdown or failure without necessarily implying an inward direction.

falls apart

Suggests disintegration into pieces, often due to internal weaknesses or external pressure.

crumbles

Implies a gradual decay or breakdown, often associated with structures or systems.

self-destructs

Indicates an inherent flaw or mechanism that leads to its own downfall.

breaks down

A broader term denoting the cessation of normal functioning.

disintegrates

Suggests complete breakdown into individual components.

caves in

More literal, suggesting a collapse inward, often under pressure.

goes belly up

An informal idiom indicating financial ruin or business failure.

gives way

Indicates a sudden yielding or collapse under pressure.

fails spectacularly

Emphasizes the dramatic and visible nature of the failure.

FAQs

How can I use "implodes" in a sentence?

You can use "implodes" to describe a structure collapsing inward, or metaphorically to describe a system or organization failing dramatically from internal causes. For example, "The building implodes during the controlled demolition" or "The company's business model implodes due to unsustainable practices".

What are some alternatives to "implodes"?

Alternatives to "implodes" include "collapses", "falls apart", "crumbles", or "self-destructs" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something "implodes" instead of "explodes"?

"Implodes" and "explodes" have opposite meanings. "Implodes" means to collapse inward, while "explodes" means to burst outward. Using one in place of the other would be incorrect.

What's the difference between "implodes" and "degenerates"?

"Implodes" suggests a sudden and often catastrophic inward collapse, while "degenerates" implies a gradual decline or deterioration. The former is more dramatic and immediate, while the latter is a slower process.