Ecrouler vs effondrer in French

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écrouler and effondrer both mean "to collapse" or "to fall down," but they differ in usage and emphasis:

écrouler means "to collapse" or "to collapse suddenly" (often used about buildings or objects, also figuratively about plans or spirits). Examples:
- Le bâtiment s’est écroulé.
- Il a été écroulé par la nouvelle.
effondrer emphasizes a sudden collapse or falling inward of something, especially structures like walls or roofs, but can be used figuratively more broadly. Examples:
- L’immeuble a effondré.
- Elle a effondré en pleurs.

Both are mostly in the past tense (écroulé, effondré) as adjectives meaning "collapsed."