Spanish Conversation · Level 94
59 words
Spanish word
desmoronar
Pronunciation
IPA/desmoɾoˈnaɾ/
Meaning
- verbcollapse
Example
La antigua pared se desmoronó con la tormenta.
The old wall collapsed in the storm.
More examples
Tras las críticas continuas, su autoestima se desmoronó.
After continuous criticism, his self-esteem fell apart.
Core concept
A stone wall crumbling away in thin layers.
Common phrases
se desmorona
falls apart
comenzó a desmoronarse
began to fall apart
estar a punto de desmoronarse
is about to fall apart
Similar words
romperse: Cracks or breaks open because of outside pressure or trauma.
despedazarse: Tears apart into sizable pieces or distinct shards.
desintegrarse: Breaks down internally so the whole mass loses unity.
desmenuzarse: Becomes powdery or broken into very small flakes or crumbs.
Definition in Spanish
Expresa el acto de fragmentarse o de hacer que algo se fragmente de manera gradual, admitiendo uso transitivo e pronominal.
Word origin
From Spanish prefix des- (from Latin de- 'remove') plus a Romance root meaning 'mass' or 'heap', so it literally means 'undo a mass' and thus 'break apart gradually'.
Usage tips
- Spanish uses the reflexive se desmoronó when something collapses on its own, while transitive desmoronar means causing gradual breakup and contrasts with demoler or derrumbar for sudden demolition.
Opposites
- consolidarstabilizeverb
- reconstruirreconstructverb
Related words
- desmoronamientofalling apartnoun
- desmoronadofallen apartadjective