as in to crack
to yield to mental or emotional stress
rather than melt down, the team strengthened their resolve and ended up winning the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
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1
as in tailspin
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in collapse
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of melt down
Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025
Explosions near the site had already damaged a high-voltage power line; Ukraine feared the failure of cooling systems that prevent nuclear fuel from melting down.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 3 Jan. 2026
The two veteran anchors have been feuding since a Turning Point USA convention in mid-December, when Ben Shapiro‘s keynote speech attacking right-wing conspiracists like Tucker Carlson triggered a mini meltdown in MAGA-world.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melt down
Verb
Wildly unpopular, of the 1 million coins minted, nearly 860,000 were returned to the Mint and melted down, according to the American Numismatic Association.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025
Explosions near the site had already damaged a high-voltage power line; Ukraine feared the failure of cooling systems that prevent nuclear fuel from melting down.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
Noun
Glitter socks and congratulatory signs have swept the boutique fitness industry, where missing someone’s milestone can risk a public meltdown.
—Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 3 Jan. 2026
The two veteran anchors have been feuding since a Turning Point USA convention in mid-December, when Ben Shapiro‘s keynote speech attacking right-wing conspiracists like Tucker Carlson triggered a mini meltdown in MAGA-world.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melt down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melt down
Verb
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Over time, the gasket can become dry and cracked, allowing hot air to enter the fridge.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Grout's biggest challenge is cracking from improper installation or too much moisture.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Throughout Arizona’s tailspin, Gannon stuck to the blueprint, preaching process and patience during moments that publicly demanded more.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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Despite being a longtime socialist, Rodríguez also had a reputation as a technocrat and turned to market-friendly reforms to try to pull the economy out of its tailspin.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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If trees and powerlines collapse, there's a chance that patio furniture can become airborne.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The Sacramento Kings suffered another fourth-quarter collapse as their losing streak continued with another blowout loss.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Somebody, the woman had just a little bit of a freak-out for lack of a better term.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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Her freak-out about a single missing shower cap is the spark that kicks off a surprisingly beautiful story about welcoming change, whether that means accepting fluctuations in the hotel’s amenities or letting a family of alien tanuki crash in the place.—
Kambole Campbell,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The journalists who rushed to the scene managed to jot down the names of about a dozen—the VIPs (there were three members of parliament on the train that day, which was a factor in the disaster) and a couple of servants.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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As a train barrels toward her near the final moments of the video, Perry spots a daisy on the tracks — seemingly a nod to her daughter — and dodges disaster.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Dern played a troubled sales executive who moves back in with her mom after a nervous breakdown at the office.—
Meriam Bouarrouj,
NBC news,
3 Nov. 2025
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Lane is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.—
Lily Meyer,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This isn't the first time - or even the second - Johnson has used his training to save a child from choking.—
Nick Caloway,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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Local news outlets, however, reported that the actor has been in an intensive care unit at a hospital in Seoul after collapsing while choking on food at his home.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Three breakdowns appear repeatedly.—
Katerin Le Folcalvez,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
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Boston led late in the first half, but Denver capitalized on a rebounding breakdown to pull even.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Melt down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melt%20down. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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