Implosive

An implosive event or sound describes something that collapses inward or sucks something inwards with great force. It can also refer to a type of speech sound produced by sucking air into the mouth. The term emphasizes a sudden, inward-directed force or collapse, the opposite of an explosive force which expands outwards. This contrasts with the more common outward-directed nature of explosions. It’s often used metaphorically to describe a sudden inward change or collapse in a system, like the implosion of a business or relationship.

Implosive meaning with examples

• The bomb's design was based on an implosive detonation, where the outer layers of the explosive compressed the inner core, creating a supercritical mass that triggers a nuclear reaction. The speed of the inward collapse and the intensity of the compression determined the effectiveness of the yield. The whole process relied upon carefully placed high explosives to ensure an even implosion.
• The political system experienced an implosive failure following decades of corruption and mismanagement, which ultimately led to the collapse of the entire country. The citizens lost all faith in their government. The financial institutions were crippled. The sudden loss of order was a shock. Everyone was surprised by how swiftly and disastrously it fell apart, demonstrating the suddenness of an implosive process.
• The collapsing star underwent an implosive phase at the end of its lifecycle, shrinking to a small, incredibly dense core before finally forming a black hole. Gravity overcame the outward pressure caused by nuclear fusion. The dramatic compression of the star’s core, as matter rushed inwards at immense speeds, exemplifies an implosive process that is difficult to observe from a distance.
• The linguist studied the distinct qualities of implosive consonants like those used in certain African languages, which produce a characteristic sucking-in sound. The air is drawn inwards instead of pushed outwards. It's an unusual articulation that required years to fully analyze. The sound contrasted the explosive consonants.