Failure vs. Collapse — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 19, 2024
Failure refers to the inability to meet expectations or goals, while collapse denotes a sudden and complete breakdown or falling apart of a structure or system.
Difference Between Failure and Collapse
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Failure typically means not achieving a desired outcome, often due to errors or inefficiencies. For instance, a project might fail because it didn't meet its objectives. Collapse, on the other hand, suggests a dramatic and often sudden disintegration or falling apart, such as a building collapsing due to structural weakness.
Failure can occur in various contexts, such as business, academics, or personal goals, and often implies a chance for recovery or improvement. Collapse, however, is more associated with physical structures or systems and usually indicates a more severe and irrecoverable state.
When talking about machinery or technology, failure might refer to a malfunction or breakdown where parts of the system still function. Collapse implies a total shutdown where the system or structure is no longer operational at all.
In a social or economic context, failure might describe a business that underperforms or goes bankrupt. Collapse suggests a more catastrophic scenario, such as a market crash or societal breakdown, where the entire framework disintegrates.
Failure often involves a process where warning signs can be detected and addressed. Collapse usually occurs without much warning, resulting in immediate and comprehensive damage or destruction.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Inability to meet expectations or goals
Sudden and complete breakdown or falling apart
Context
Business, academics, personal goals
Physical structures, systems
Severity
Often recoverable or improvable
Typically severe and irrecoverable
Warning Signs
Usually detectable with potential for intervention
Often sudden with little to no warning
Example Usage
Project failure, exam failure
Building collapse, economic collapse
Compare with Definitions
Failure
The breakdown of a machine or system.
The engine failure left us stranded.
Collapse
The act of folding or compressing.
The collapse of the tent was due to strong winds.
Failure
The state of not meeting a desired objective.
The project was a failure due to poor planning.
Collapse
To fall down or inward suddenly; cave in.
Failure
The inability to perform a function.
Heart failure requires immediate medical attention.
Collapse
To break down suddenly in strength or health and thereby cease to function
A monarchy that collapsed.
Failure
A person who does not succeed.
He felt like a failure after losing the job.
Collapse
To fold compactly
Chairs that collapse for storage.
Failure
Failure is the state or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective, and may be viewed as the opposite of success. The criteria for failure depends on context, and may be relative to a particular observer or belief system.
Collapse
To cause to fold, break down, or fall down or inward.
Failure
Lack of success
An economic policy that is doomed to failure
Collapse
The act of falling down or inward, as from loss of supports.
Failure
The neglect or omission of expected or required action
Their failure to comply with the basic rules
Collapse
An abrupt failure of function, strength, or health; a breakdown.
Failure
The action or state of not functioning
A chance engine failure
Symptoms of heart failure
Collapse
An abrupt loss of perceived value or of effect
The collapse of popular respect for the integrity of world leaders.
Failure
The condition or fact of not achieving the desired end or ends
The failure of an experiment.
Collapse
(intransitive) To break apart and fall down suddenly; to cave in.
Failure
One that fails
A failure at one's career.
Collapse
(intransitive) To cease to function due to a sudden breakdown; to fail suddenly and completely.
Pyramid schemes tend to generate profits for a while and then collapse.
Failure
The condition or fact of being insufficient or falling short
A crop failure.
Collapse
(intransitive) To fold compactly.
Failure
A cessation of proper functioning or performance
A power failure.
Collapse
To hide additional directory (folder) levels below the selected directory (folder) levels. When a folder contains no additional folders, a minus sign (-) appears next to the folder.
Failure
Nonperformance of what is requested or expected; omission
Failure to report a change of address.
Collapse
(cricket) For several batsmen to get out in quick succession
Failure
The act or fact of failing to pass a course, test, or assignment.
Collapse
(transitive) To cause something to collapse.
Hurry up and collapse the tent so we can get moving.
Failure
A decline in strength or effectiveness.
Collapse
(intransitive) To pass out and fall to the floor or ground, as from exhaustion or other illness; to faint.
The exhausted singer collapsed on stage and had to be taken to the hospital.
Failure
The act or fact of becoming bankrupt or insolvent.
Collapse
The act of collapsing.
Failure
State or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective, opposite of success.
Collapse
Constant function, one-valued function (in automata theory) (in particular application causing a reset). en
Failure
Omission to do something, whether or not it was attempted, especially something that ought to have been done.
Collapse
To fall together suddenly, as the sides of a hollow vessel; to close by falling or shrinking together; to have the sides or parts of (a thing) fall in together, or be crushed in together; as, a flue in the boiler of a steam engine sometimes collapses.
A balloon collapses when the gas escapes from it.
Failure
An object, person or endeavour in a state of failure or incapable of success.
Collapse
To fail suddenly and completely, like something hollow when subject to too much pressure; to undergo a collapse; as, Maximilian's government collapsed soon after the French army left Mexico; many financial projects collapse after attaining some success and importance.
Failure
Termination of the ability of an item to perform its required function; breakdown.
Collapse
A falling together suddenly, as of the sides of a hollow vessel.
Failure
Bankruptcy.
Collapse
A sudden and complete failure; an utter failure of any kind; a breakdown.
Failure
Cessation of supply, or total defect; a failing; deficiency; as, failure of rain; failure of crops.
Collapse
Extreme depression or sudden failing of all the vital powers, as the result of disease, injury, or nervous disturbance.
Failure
Omission; nonperformance; as, the failure to keep a promise.
Collapse
An abrupt failure of function or health
Failure
Want of success; the state of having failed.
Collapse
A mishap caused by something suddenly falling down or caving in
Failure
Decay, or defect from decay; deterioration; as, the failure of memory or of sight.
Collapse
The act of throwing yourself down;
He landed on the bed with a great flop
Failure
A becoming insolvent; bankruptcy; suspension of payment; as, failure in business.
Collapse
A sudden large decline of business or the prices of stocks (especially one that causes additional failures)
Failure
A failing; a slight fault.
Collapse
Break down, literally or metaphorically;
The wall collapsed
The business collapsed
The dam broke
The roof collapsed
The wall gave in
The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice
Failure
An act that fails;
His failure to pass the test
Collapse
Collapse due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack
Failure
An event that does not accomplish its intended purpose;
The surprise party was a complete failure
Collapse
Fold or close up;
Fold up your umbrella
Collapse the music stand
Failure
Lack of success;
He felt that his entire life had been a failure
That year there was a crop failure
Collapse
Fall apart;
The building crimbled after the explosion
Negociations broke down
Failure
A person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently
Collapse
Cause to burst;
The ice broke the pipe
Failure
An unexpected omission;
He resented my failure to return his call
The mechanic's failure to check the brakes
Collapse
Suffer a nervous breakdown
Failure
Inability to discharge all your debts as they come due;
The company had to declare bankruptcy
Fraudulent loans led to the failure of many banks
Collapse
Lose significance, effectiveness, or value;
The school system is collapsing
The stock market collapsed
Failure
Loss of ability to function normally;
Kidney failure
Collapse
A sudden and complete breakdown.
The building collapse was devastating.
Failure
An instance of not succeeding.
Her failure to pass the exam was disappointing.
Collapse
Falling down or inward suddenly.
The roof collapse trapped several workers.
Collapse
A sudden loss of value or function.
The market collapse led to a recession.
Collapse
A sudden failure of health or strength.
She suffered a collapse due to exhaustion.
Common Curiosities
Does failure have warning signs?
Often, yes. Failure usually has detectable warning signs.
Is collapse always severe?
Yes, collapse usually indicates a severe and often irrecoverable situation.
Can systems experience failure?
Yes, systems can fail, indicating they are not functioning correctly.
Can collapse occur without warning?
Yes, collapse is often sudden and can occur without warning.
Is an engine failure a collapse?
No, engine failure is a malfunction, not a total collapse of the vehicle.
Can failure be recovered from?
Yes, failures often allow for recovery and improvement.
What is the primary difference between failure and collapse?
Failure is the inability to meet goals, while collapse is a sudden and complete breakdown.
Is a financial crisis a failure or a collapse?
It can be considered a collapse if it is sudden and severe.
Can a business experience collapse?
Yes, a business can collapse, typically indicating a total shutdown or bankruptcy.
Is collapse used in a non-physical context?
Yes, it can describe market or economic collapses as well.
What is an example of collapse in technology?
A network collapse where all connections are lost.
Can failure lead to collapse?
Yes, continuous failures can eventually lead to collapse.
Is a personal setback considered a collapse?
No, it's typically considered a failure rather than a collapse.
What is an example of failure in academics?
Not passing an exam is a failure in academics.
Can a system failure be fixed?
Often, yes, system failures can be repaired.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
