SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

nervous breakdown

noun

Definition of nervous breakdown

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

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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.

First Known Use of nervous breakdown

1870

nervous breakdown Synonyms

Synonyms

crack-up, breakdown, tailspin

Related Words

frazzle, freak-out, meltdown; alarm (also alarum), anxiety, apprehension, disquiet; excitability, nervousness; disturbance; agitation, discomposure, perturbation; basket case

Near Antonyms

aplomb, calmness, composure, coolness, imperturbability, placidity, self-possession, sereneness, serenity, tranquillity (or tranquility), tranquilness

NERVOUS BREAKDOWN Defined for English Language Learners

nervous breakdown

noun

Definition of nervous breakdown for English Language Learners

: a sudden failure of mental health that makes someone unable to live normally

Medical Dictionary

nervous breakdown

noun

medical Definition of nervous breakdown

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

Learn More about nervous breakdown

See words that rhyme with nervous breakdown Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for nervous breakdown Nglish: Translation of nervous breakdown for Spanish speakers

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Examples: nervous breakdown in a Sentence