melt down 1 of 2

verb

Definition of melt downnext
as in to crack
to yield to mental or emotional stress rather than melt down, the team strengthened their resolve and ended up winning the game

Synonyms & Similar Words

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meltdown

2 of 2

noun

1
as in tailspin

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in collapse

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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 melt down
Verb
It’s paired with a blend of lightweight sunflower, olive, and jojoba oils that melt down makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum without leaving skin feeling slick or weighed down. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026 This one appears quick opaque and viscous, but actually does a nice job at melting down onto the skin and absorbing quickly. — Lucy Partington, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
Wall Street executives and analysts pointed out that the industry wasn't fazed by the meltdown of several hedge funds this summer. — Hugh Son, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026 Any meltdown in our mitochondria will lead to a shortage of ATP, leaving cells with less energy to do their jobs. — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for melt down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melt down
  1. crack
  2. tailspin
  3. collapse
  4. choke
  5. freak-out
  6. disaster
  7. break down
  8. nervous breakdown
Verb
  • But the real reason this outing cracks the list isn’t simply the six touchdowns.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Kuemper cracked for the first time with just under six minutes left in the second period when rookie Victor Eklund’s shot squeezed through on a power play.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of crack
Noun
  • The 2018 tailspin had followed a massive momentum crescendo and reversal several months earlier, which gave way to an erratic tape that couldn't absorb what seemed at the time relatively unthreatening Federal Reserve tightening actions.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
  • And Criss was concerned that unchecked growth of the program, coupled with a spree of tax cuts, could put the state budget into a tailspin.
    — Henry Culvyhouse, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of tailspin
Noun
  • Mohamud also warned of a possible secondary collapse, as the collapsed building was leaning on its neighbor.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Spirit Airlines' ghost planes The problems with young retirements predate Spirit's collapse.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • Finally, Europe needs the ability to retaliate when China or the United States threatens to choke it.
    — Claas Mertens, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
  • But the real culprit is his failing Iran war, which has choked supply from the Middle East.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of choke
Noun
  • The Derby’s question is quite often decided by whichever colt or filly has the racing focus and the strength not to succumb to his or her ambient freak-out.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Even so, the nation’s collective freak-out should serve as a wake-up call to both the food industry and regulators.
    — Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Definition of freak-out
Noun
  • Residents, meanwhile, can give firefighters the best shot at stopping a potential disaster by clearing flammable vegetation in their yards and fire-hardening their homes.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The goal, ultimately, is not to eat our way out of an ecological disaster.
    — Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of disaster
Verb
  • Below, our experts break down the colors to keep handy this season.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 26 Oct. 2026
  • When heated by the device’s coil, these liquids break down into toxic compounds, including formaldehyde and acrolein, both known to damage cellular structures in the respiratory system.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of break down
Noun
  • As rumors grew about why Talarico was not seen in public during one of the tightest campaigns in the country, Paxton suggested that the Democratic hopeful had suffered a nervous breakdown of some kind.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
  • This had resulted in several nervous breakdowns during my first few weeks back home.
    — Joe Manganiello, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of nervous breakdown

Browse Nearby Words

melt (away)
melt down
meltdown
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Cite this Entry

“Melt down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melt%20down. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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