implode

[im-plohd] /ɪmˈploʊd/
verb (used without object), imploded, imploding.
1.
to burst inward (opposed to explode).
verb (used with object), imploded, imploding.
2.
Phonetics. to pronounce by implosion.
Origin
1880-85; im-1 + (ex)plode
Examples from the web for implode
  • During a major earthquake, the hollow columns could implode and collapse.
  • During the rarefaction, small vacuum cavities are formed that collapse or implode during compression.
  • The gas and dust occasionally implode to form stars, which spread themselves into galaxies surrounding the white holes.
  • The great explosion will eventually die out, and as matter dies out, the ball will implode.
  • Such a fishing expedition will surely implode for lack of substance and credibility.
  • In the first few months, people here tried to implode these things.
  • All these areas need to be brought into furniture design to help it evolve and move forward, otherwise it will implode.
  • Not only could the tunnel implode at any moment but also the lake, held back by only a wall of ice, could drain in a flash.
  • So the entire world did not implode as a result of that ruling.
  • Throw a quantum superposition into the mix and the biologists who ponder these problems are likely to implode.
British Dictionary definitions for implode

implode

/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.
(transitive) to pronounce (a consonant) with or by implosion
Compare explode
Word Origin
C19: from im- + (ex)plode
Word Origin and History for implode
v.

1870 (implied in imploded), back-formation from implosion. Related: Imploding.