What does imploded mean?
Imploded is the past tense and past participle of implode, meaning to explode or collapse inward. The literal sense is relatively unusual: when a container, structure, or object implodes, its contents or material are driven inward and it may become compressed or crushed. More commonly, the word is used figuratively for institutions, organizations, political careers, currencies, or reputations that suffer sudden, total collapse. An implosion often suggests that separate weaknesses or internal conflicts combined to produce a dramatic failure. For example, a government may implode after scandals or a currency may implode when confidence collapses. The word can also describe a rapid physical contraction, but its metaphorical use is especially vivid because it combines the force of an explosion with movement toward the center.
verbTo explode inward or collapse into a smaller, compressed form. In figurative use, it means to fail suddenly and completely, often because of internal problems.
- To explode or collapse inward.
- To fail or collapse suddenly and completely, especially as a result of internal problems.
"The old building imploded under the force of the controlled demolition."
"The glass sphere imploded when the internal pressure became too great."
"The company imploded after a series of financial scandals."
An implosion is an explosion directed inward, turning outward force into sudden compression.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does imploded come from?
The word comes from Latin, from the verb implodere, meaning “to burst inward.” It combines the prefix in- with plodere, related to plaudere, “to clap,” and to the root of explode. English borrowed the form in the 19th century, and the noun implosion was also derived from the same Latin source.
Related word forms
How imploded is actually used
The word is relatively uncommon in literal physical contexts but common in journalism and political or business commentary, where it describes a rapid, dramatic collapse. The figurative sense is often negative and implies collapse caused by internal or systemic problems.
Easily confused with imploded
An object that explodes moves forcefully outward, whereas one that implodes collapses inward or contracts.