tailspin

noun

tail·​spin ˈtāl-ˌspin How to pronounce tailspin (audio)
Synonyms of tailspinnext
1
2
: a mental or emotional letdown or collapse
3
: a sustained and usually severe decline or downturn
stock prices in a tailspin

Examples of tailspin in a Sentence

Stock prices are in a tailspin. The team went into a tailspin and lost six straight games.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That is, until a conversation about having children throws their relationship into a tailspin. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 28 May 2026 As injuries to their pitching staff pile up and players desperately try to pull themselves out of a tailspin, the Chicago Cubs sent Jordan Wicks out to the mound Tuesday night. Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 27 May 2026 These households and individuals are employed, earn above the poverty level, and may still be one unexpected expense away from a financial tailspin. Daisy Franklin, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2026 Doncic trade still reverberating as Mavs hit reset Kidd's tenure took a sharp downturn after the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers following their NBA Finals run, a franchise‑altering move that sent the organization into a tailspin. Doug Myers, CBS News, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tailspin

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tailspin was in 1917

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tailspin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailspin. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

tailspin

noun
tail·​spin ˈtā(ə)l-ˌspin How to pronounce tailspin (audio)

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