What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
meltdown
Example
After losing the game, the coach had a meltdown on the sidelines. [meltdown: noun]
Example
She had a meltdown when she found out her flight was cancelled. [meltdown: verb]
collapse
Example
The old bridge collapsed under the weight of the heavy truck. [collapsed: past tense]
Example
He collapsed from exhaustion after running the marathon. [collapsed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Collapse is more commonly used than meltdown in everyday language. Collapse is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while meltdown is less common and has more specific uses.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between meltdown and collapse?
Collapse is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts. Meltdown is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, and is less appropriate for formal contexts.
