as in breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
you're going to have a nervous breakdown if you keep up that pace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nervous breakdown
That character is Mike Tyler (Chris Evans), a Hollywood star recovering from a recent nervous breakdown and attending a garish eco-friendly charity party for the super-super-rich that’s being held in a fantastically austere Greek mine.
—
Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
One powerful scene in episode 2 shows Knox having a nervous breakdown when she is taken back to the scene of the crime and asked to open the knife drawer in the kitchen to determine if any are missing in an effort to locate the murder weapon.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Originally published in 1961, the novel follows Josephine, a young woman on the edge of a nervous breakdown.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Maybe Pippa has a nervous breakdown and checks herself into a high-end spa/sanatorium in western Massachusetts.
—John Kenney, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervous breakdown
Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
One powerful scene in episode 2 shows Knox having a nervous breakdown when she is taken back to the scene of the crime and asked to open the knife drawer in the kitchen to determine if any are missing in an effort to locate the murder weapon.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Originally published in 1961, the novel follows Josephine, a young woman on the edge of a nervous breakdown.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Maybe Pippa has a nervous breakdown and checks herself into a high-end spa/sanatorium in western Massachusetts.
—John Kenney, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervous breakdown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervous breakdown
breakdown
Noun
-
The couple face another breakdown when their daughter, Sofia, gets taken into Child Services, which has been quietly monitoring the couple.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Barnes said the case illustrates a breakdown within the broader criminal justice process.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nervous breakdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervous%20breakdown. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share