nervous breakdown

noun

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Definition of nervous breakdown

: an attack of mental or emotional disorder especially when of sufficient severity to require hospitalization

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Synonyms for nervous breakdown

Synonyms

Examples of nervous breakdown in a Sentence

She had a nervous breakdown shortly after her sister's death. He is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Recent Examples on the Web Shane’s mother Therese, a charismatic and attractive woman once pursued by the Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh, could not adjust to the urban grind and suffered a nervous breakdown. — Caine O'rear, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2021 Link ends up in the car with Jo, who is having a nervous breakdown trying to be a single mother to Luna. — Lincee Ray, EW.com, 1 Oct. 2021 In the cult-classic series, Dern’s Amy Jellicoe suffers a nervous breakdown that ultimately leads to her takedown of her corrupt corporate workplace from within. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2021 Margot had a nervous breakdown and started binge-eating on her mukbang channel, which the show treats like the biggest sign of mental illness there could possibly be. — Benjamin Rosenstock, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2021 After suffering a nervous breakdown, Wilson decides to quit touring with the Beach Boys but continues to write, arrange, produce and record Beach Boys’ music. — Cnn Editorial Research, CNN, 15 June 2021 The story begins with Alice, a 29-year-old Dublin novelist who moves to the Irish countryside after a nervous breakdown. — Sally Rooney, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2021 But it’s actually Armond, the luxe Hawaiian resort’s manager, played by Murray Bartlett, who’s having the nervous breakdown the whole time. — Lisa Liebman, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2021 Cullen characterized her response as a complete nervous breakdown. — Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nervous breakdown.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

29 Nov 2021

Cite this Entry

“Nervous breakdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nervous%20breakdown. Accessed 17 Jan. 2022.

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