FREEFALL Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

free-fall 1 of 2

noun

Definition of free-fall

as in slide

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free-fall

2 of 2

verb

as in to plummet

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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 free-fall

Noun

Each has only lasted two games, so this isn’t a free-fall. — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 While the crypto free-fall seems to have paused, the extreme price swings remain. — Joe Wilkins Published Mar 18, Futurism, 18 Mar. 2026 The timepiece endured low pressure and temperature and a free-fall speed of 821 mph, above the sound barrier. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019 Corbet’s starts with a near-vertical free-fall for 10 to 20 feet, depending on the snowpack, before the run opens to a narrow, rocky chute. — Owen Clarke, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026 The film, in which Powell plays a country-western star in free-fall, has been set for release on February 5, 2027. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026 Late last year, Saudi Arabia's Six Flags Qiddiya City opened the world's longest, tallest, and fastest roller coaster, opened the world’s tallest free-fall ride, and opened the world’s tallest pendulum ride. — Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2026 In addition to featuring the same hybrid rollercoaster and water slide that can be found on the Prima Plus-class Norwegian Aqua, Luna will have a 10-deck free-fall slide called The Drop and a top-deck sports and outdoor gaming space called The Stadium. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for free-fall

Noun

The bank said previous interventions had only temporarily interrupted the yen’s slide before USD/JPY resumed climbing, and expects a similar pattern if authorities intervene again.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 6 July 2026
In this climate, a wider conflict, with NATO – the enemy Putin has always railed against – could both explain Moscow’s slow slide into stalemate in Ukraine and help justify a wider war, or even full-scale mobilization inside Russia.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Definition of slide

Noun

Payton talks all the time about not putting quarterbacks on the high dive, but Nix has spent his first two seasons in the league working mostly from the 10-meter platform.

— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 July 2026
According to Lindsley, one diver suffered a concussion underwater after a dive.

— Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of dive

Verb

Riyadh largely paused shipments from its Gulf export terminals of Ras Tanura and Juaymah on March 9 after tanker traffic through Hormuz plunged due to Iranian attacks.

— Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Even as the communist country proposes reforms, the United States continues a pressure campaign, ramping up economic sanctions and maintaining an oil embargo that has plunged much of the island into darkness.

— Rick Jervis, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of plunge

Noun

Turn into the skid - Turning into the skid can help the vehicle's tires realign to regain control.

— STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026

Definition of skid

Verb

Grave loss in Canada precipitated the Declaration of Independence, created with an eye to France and Spain as allies.

— Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
While Carvalho’s resignation was widely reported — and precipitated the appointment of Andrés Chait as the new superintendent three days later — there was no indication at the time that the school board had been pressuring Carvalho to step down.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026

Definition of precipitate

Noun

McKinnon was a billionaire in 2021 and 2022 thanks to a surge in software stocks during the time, but saw his fortune tumble as part of a broad selloff that erased billions of dollars from technology valuations.

— Kirk Ogunrinde, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
This highly competent, obsessive duo tumbles into a self-destructive cat-and-mouse dynamic — but who’s the cat and who’s the mouse?

— Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026

Definition of tumble

Verb

The camaraderie was evident on the ground here in La Guaira, the coastal city where quake damage was most severe, collapsing dozens of buildings.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
The dogs, specially trained to detect human scent, have spent days searching for people trapped beneath the rubble of nearly 200 buildings that collapsed following the two powerful back-to-back earthquakes.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of collapse

Browse Nearby Words

freedwomen

free-fall

free-falling

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Style

“Free-fall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free-fall. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of free-fall

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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