Failure vs. Collapse — What's the Difference?

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.

To fall down or inward suddenly; cave in.

Lack of success

To break down suddenly in strength or health and thereby cease to function

The neglect or omission of expected or required action

To fold compactly

The action or state of not functioning

To cause to fold, break down, or fall down or inward.

The condition or fact of not achieving the desired end or ends

The act of falling down or inward, as from loss of supports.

One that fails

An abrupt failure of function, strength, or health; a breakdown.

The condition or fact of being insufficient or falling short

An abrupt loss of perceived value or of effect

A cessation of proper functioning or performance

(intransitive) To break apart and fall down suddenly; to cave in.

Nonperformance of what is requested or expected; omission

(intransitive) To cease to function due to a sudden breakdown; to fail suddenly and completely.

The act or fact of failing to pass a course, test, or assignment.

(intransitive) To fold compactly.

A decline in strength or effectiveness.

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.

The act or fact of becoming bankrupt or insolvent.

(cricket) For several batsmen to get out in quick succession

State or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective, opposite of success.

(transitive) To cause something to collapse.

Omission to do something, whether or not it was attempted, especially something that ought to have been done.

(intransitive) To pass out and fall to the floor or ground, as from exhaustion or other illness; to faint.

An object, person or endeavour in a state of failure or incapable of success.

The act of collapsing.

Termination of the ability of an item to perform its required function; breakdown.

Constant function, one-valued function (in automata theory) (in particular application causing a reset). en

Bankruptcy.

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.

Cessation of supply, or total defect; a failing; deficiency; as, failure of rain; failure of crops.

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.

Omission; nonperformance; as, the failure to keep a promise.

A falling together suddenly, as of the sides of a hollow vessel.

Want of success; the state of having failed.

A sudden and complete failure; an utter failure of any kind; a breakdown.

Decay, or defect from decay; deterioration; as, the failure of memory or of sight.

Extreme depression or sudden failing of all the vital powers, as the result of disease, injury, or nervous disturbance.

A becoming insolvent; bankruptcy; suspension of payment; as, failure in business.

An abrupt failure of function or health

A failing; a slight fault.

A mishap caused by something suddenly falling down or caving in

An act that fails;

The act of throwing yourself down;

An event that does not accomplish its intended purpose;

A sudden large decline of business or the prices of stocks (especially one that causes additional failures)

Lack of success;

Break down, literally or metaphorically;

A person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently

Collapse due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack

An unexpected omission;

Fold or close up;

Inability to discharge all your debts as they come due;

Fall apart;

Loss of ability to function normally;

Cause to burst;

Suffer a nervous breakdown

Lose significance, effectiveness, or value;