slump

play

verb \ ˈsləmp \

Definition of slump

intransitive verb

1 a :to fall or sink suddenly

b :to drop or slide down suddenly :collapse

2 :to assume a drooping posture or carriage :slouch

3 :to go into a slump

sales slumped

See slump defined for English-language learners

See slump defined for kids

Examples of slump in a Sentence

She fainted and slumped to the floor.
Exhausted, he slumped down into the chair.
His shoulders slumped forward in disappointment.
Real estate prices slumped during the recession.

Recent Examples of slump from the Web

At an earlier melee, he was left slumped and scratched up after a group of antifa swept past him.

— patrik jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, "Meet the Raging Grannies, Portland's not-so-secret warriors for civility," 17 Aug. 2017
The 24-year old man, who was not in custody at the time, was observed by court officers slumping over on a viewing bench in the courtroom at about 10:30 a.m., according to Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli.

— jim newton, Lake County News-Sun, "Sheriff: Man revived after suffering overdose in Lake County Circuit Court," 17 Aug. 2017
Seed-stage financing has been down for two years, and transactions and dollar investments have slumped 40 percent since their mid-2015 peak as venture capitalists have struggled to find the exits.

— vanityfair.com, "A Fake Mayo Company, a Jaden Smith Lawsuit, and the End of the Silicon Valley Dream," 3 Aug. 2017
A week earlier, the Tigers stood two games behind Kansas City, who was slumping and also feeling the heat of trade deadline moves breathing down its neck.

— anthony fenech, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers' lack of toughness a big reason why they're fumbling 2017," 29 July 2017
Schuler was found slumped under his desk in his bedroom.

— bill glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Inspector general report details past problems at Zablocki VA Medical Center inpatient unit," 27 July 2017
After approaching a woman slumped over a picnic table in a city park last week, the social worker spoke with Kelly Bruner, 30, about her options.

— nicole lewis, Washington Post, "As opioid overdoses exact a higher price, communities ponder who should be saved," 15 July 2017
The driver described hearing a bang and seeing the woman slumped over.

— CBS News, "Man accused of drunkenly killing wife during Uber ride pleads not guilty," 13 July 2017
Texas A&M followed a familiar trajectory last season, starting fast and then slumping in November.

— john zenor, The Seattle Times, "Several SEC coaches facing questions about job security," 12 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of slump

probably imitative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1677

See Words from the same year

slump

noun

Definition of slump

1 a :a marked or sustained decline especially in economic activity or prices

b :a period of poor or losing play by a team or individual

2 :a downward slide of a mass of rock or land

See slump defined for English-language learners

Examples of slump in a Sentence

The economy's been in a slump since last year.
They've been in a slump ever since they traded their best player.
He's in a batting slump.

Recent Examples of slump from the Web

Lately, the price of oil has been down and the town is in a slump.

— justin nobel, Longreads, "Why Oil-Loving Louisiana Should Embrace America’s Coming Offshore Wind Boom," 23 Aug. 2017
But Prescott completed all 18 passes on Wednesday, and has shown no signs of a possible sophomore slump on the horizon.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "Dallas Cowboys’ California segment of training camp ends in style," 17 Aug. 2017
Waiting it out: Division points leader Matt Clemens ended a mini-slump in the second Mid-American feature with his third win of the season.

— tony baranek, Daily Southtown, "Jim Weber joins the club with first career Grundy County Speedway victory," 29 July 2017
True, Brazil’s industrial production is perking up after a two-year slump.

— The Economist, "Latin America’s disappointing economic growth," 20 July 2017
Joe—this four-shot-espresso-drinking, fluent-Spanish-speaking, 36-year-old redhead—is the one who ended that slump.

— matt viser, Town & Country, "Meet the Next President Kennedy," 6 July 2017
Sophomore slumps might be a myth, but Kylah Marzette is working hard this offseason to make sure that doesn’t happen to her when the next softball season rolls around.

— randy sachs, star-telegram.com, "Lake Ridge softball outfielder ‘slumped’ her way to Newcomer of the Year," 3 July 2017
Still, general aviation is in the depths of a 30-year slump.

— matthew jancer, Car and Driver, "Need More Parking? How to Make an Airport Hangar Your Garage," 3 July 2017
As the state-of-the-art hydraulics move her into position, her posture shifts from millennial slump to ramrod straight.

— TIME.com, "Game of Thrones: How They Make the World’s Most Popular Show," 30 June 2017

First Known Use of slump

1887

slump Synonyms

Synonyms

recession, depression

Antonyms

boom

Related Words

bust, crash, panic; stagnation; downbeat, downdraft, downswing, downtrend, downturn, slowdown

Near Antonyms

development, growth; advancement, progress; rally, recovery

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

SLUMP Defined for English Language Learners

slump

play

verb

Definition of slump for English Language Learners

: to sit or fall down suddenly and heavily
: to move down or forward suddenly
: to decrease suddenly and by a large amount

slump

noun

Definition of slump for English Language Learners

: a sudden decrease in prices, value, amount, etc.
: a period of time when an economy is doing poorly
sports : a period of time when a team or player is doing poorly

SLUMP Defined for Kids

slump

play

verb \ ˈsləmp \

Definition of slump for Students

slumped; slumping

1 :to drop or slide down suddenly :collapse

The tired woman slumped into a chair.

2 :²slouch

Don't slump when you walk.

3 :to drop sharply

Sales slumped.

slump

noun

Definition of slump for Students

:a big or continued drop especially in prices, business, or performance

Learn More about slump

See words that rhyme with slump Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for slump Spanish Central: Translation of slump Nglish: Translation of slump for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of slump for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slump

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slump

Definition of slump

Examples of slump in a Sentence

Recent Examples of slump from the Web

First Known Use of slump

slump Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Other Business Terms

SLUMP Defined for English Language Learners

slump

Definition of slump for English Language Learners

slump

Definition of slump for English Language Learners

SLUMP Defined for Kids

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