BASKET CASE Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

basket case

noun

Definition of basket case

as in nervous breakdown

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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.

Recent Examples of basket case Though the microbus appeared unscathed, the vehicle in reality was a basket case and in need of more than 900 replacement parts, Volkswagen of America said in a statement on its restoration. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 24 Nov. 2025 America has become a fiscal basket case, and neither party is offering any kind of serious solution for a disaster that is already contributing to brutal inflation and may one day crush the value of the dollar. — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2025 His main accomplishment was to transform the country by giving us Joe Biden who then transformed the country into a basket case. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025 Over the course of their day together, Claire the princess (Ringwald), Andrew the jock (Estevez), Brian the brain (Hall), Allison the basket case (Sheedy) and John the criminal (Nelson) begin to drop their stereotypical public facades and reveal their private struggles. — Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for basket case

Recent Examples of Synonyms for basket case

Noun

Embodied by Maradona, successive Argentinean national teams played with flair and toughness and an element of chaos, often on the edge of nervous breakdown.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
After suffering a nervous breakdown and being taken care of by Marlon Brando’s daughter Cheyenne in Tahiti, Jones eventually returned to his life as a mogul of music, television and magazines.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026

Definition of nervous breakdown

Noun

Still, people living near the border say the possibility of Belarus becoming more involved in Russia’s war remains a source of anxiety.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Psychological symptoms like anxiety, irritability and depression often show up before physical ones, peaking between ages 41 and 45.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026

Definition of anxiety

Noun

Republican pollsters and political groups are raising the alarm that their party faces a listless and demotivated base ahead of November’s midterm elections.

— Liz Goodwin, Washington Post, 26 July 2026
The Emdmak door stop alarm is a small, but loud, extra layer of defense that doubles as a door stop and an alarm.

— Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026

Definition of alarm

Noun

My full start-time and ring-walk breakdown has the finer timing.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Boise State football held its summer media day on Wednesday afternoon, opening up coaches and 10 players to a cascade of questions, from in-depth positional breakdowns to each player’s favorite childhood TV show.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026

Definition of breakdown

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basket

basket case

basket cases

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Style

“Basket case.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basket%20case. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of basket case

noun

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