implosion

IPA/ɪmˈpləʊʒn/
KK[ˌɪmplˈoʒən]IPA/ɪmˈpləʊʒn/

implosion — noun

  • implosionsingular
  • implosionsplural

1. the violent collapse of an object toward its own center, caused by greater press

1.名詞B2
釋義

the violent collapse of an object toward its own center, caused by greater pressure outside than inside

例句

Engineers used a controlled implosion to bring down the old factory building safely.

collocation: controlled implosion

After the submarine hull cracked, the deep-sea pressure triggered a catastrophic implosion.

同義詞
  • collapse

    broader meaning — can describe any inward or downward fall, not necessarily violent

  • cave-in

    refers specifically to the collapse of tunnels, mines, or underground structures

反義詞
  • explosion

    outward burst of force, the direct opposite of implosion

用法筆記

Commonly used in engineering, physics, and demolition contexts. The opposite process is an explosion.

常見錯誤

❌The building had an implosion' (when describing demolition on purpose).
✅Workers carried out a controlled implosion of the building.
💡A deliberate implosion is an action that someone performs, not just something that happens.

2. a sudden and complete breakdown of an organization, system, or plan, usually cau

2.名詞C1
釋義

a sudden and complete breakdown of an organization, system, or plan, usually caused by problems from within rather than outside forces

例句

The company's implosion happened when senior managers could not agree on a rescue plan.

pattern: company's / party's implosion

Padma lost her savings during the financial implosion of the investment firm last year.

同義詞
  • collapse

    more common and can describe any kind of failure, not just sudden ones

  • meltdown

    more informal; suggests total chaos and loss of control

  • breakdown

    focuses on the failure of communication or order rather than total destruction

反義詞
  • recovery

    the process of returning to a healthy state after a crisis

  • turnaround

    a positive change from failure to success

常見錯誤

❌The economy had an implosion' (too literal).
✅The economy suffered a sudden implosion after the banking crisis.
💡This sense is figurative; use verbs like 'suffer,' 'experience,' or 'lead to' rather than 'have.'