Other forms: imploded, imploding, implodes
To implode is to collapse violently inward. The tube imploded, imploded under pressure, the company imploded.
It is the opposite of exploding and it happens when outside pressure beats what is inside — a vacuum vessel, a deep-sea hull, an old television tube. Figuratively an organisation or a person implodes: collapses from within, suddenly and completely. Note that the word was made backwards from implosion.
1verbimplodeTo collapse violently inward.
“The old tower was blown up so that it imploded and fell straight down.”
2verbwithinTo collapse from within, of a group.
“The band imploded after years of arguments between its two singers.”
implode is a collapsing.
A back-formation from implosion, on the model of explode. In plus a root meaning to clap or burst.
a back-formation from implosion.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA
Practised in Cutting & Breaking