ichidan verb, intransitive verb
collapse; be destroyed; fall through; break down
Used for buildings, dreams, plans, etc., that come to ruin or fail completely. Often implies a dramatic or total failure.
地震で多くの建物が潰えた。
Many buildings collapsed in the earthquake.
彼の夢は一瞬で潰えた。
His dream was shattered in an instant.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
be completely defeated; be wiped out; be routed
Used for military forces or groups being utterly defeated or annihilated. Somewhat literary or dramatic.
敵軍は総崩れとなり、潰えた。
The enemy army fell into total disarray and was routed.