What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
topple
Example
The vase toppled over when the cat jumped on the table. [toppled: past tense]
Example
The dictator was toppled from power after months of protests. [toppled: verb]
collapse
Example
The building collapsed after the earthquake. [collapsed: past tense]
Example
She collapsed from exhaustion after running the marathon. [collapsed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Collapse is more commonly used than topple in everyday language. Collapse is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while topple is less common and refers to a more specific type of falling over.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between topple and collapse?
Both topple and collapse can be used in formal and informal contexts, but collapse is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels.
