tailspin

noun

tail·​spin ˈtāl-ˌspin 

1

: spin sense 2a

2

: a mental or emotional letdown or collapse

3

: a sustained and usually severe decline or downturn

stock prices in a tailspin

Synonyms

• breakdown
• crack-up
• nervous breakdown

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

And, maybe more importantly, are the Steelers — whose 2024 season went into a tailspin around the time Pickens was injured — any better positioned to handle an injury to their No. 1 receiver? —Mike Defabo, New York Times, 22 May 2025

But an off-the-cuff post by Trump on Truth Social can sent financial markets into a tailspin. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 May 2025

The move sent stock markets in the U.S. and abroad into a tailspin, fueled recession fears and prompted some of Trump’s allies in the business community to speak out against the policy. —Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

UnitedHealth Group , whose stock has been in a tailspin amid a tumultuous period for the health-care giant, saw some of its insiders step in and purchase declining shares this week. —Yun Li, CNBC, 16 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tailspin

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin

Kids Definition

tailspin

noun

tail·​spin ˈtā(ə)l-ˌspin 

: spin entry 2 sense 3