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
Relevance
1
as in tailspin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in collapse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Layla Ilchi, WWD, 11 Mar. 2025
The troubled nuclear plant at Three Mile Island near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that almost melted down in 1979 is expected to resume operations in 2028 after owner Constellation Energy struck a power purchase agreement with Microsoft last September.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2025
Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
As iconic as a good Restaurant Wars meltdown can be, the stress rarely pays off quite like watching teams grind out great restaurants despite all odds.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for melt down
Verb
Most notably, Christopher Ward was able to utilize metal from the actual Goodison Park turnstiles to melt down into coins to use on the back of the watch.
—Layla Ilchi, WWD, 11 Mar. 2025
The troubled nuclear plant at Three Mile Island near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that almost melted down in 1979 is expected to resume operations in 2028 after owner Constellation Energy struck a power purchase agreement with Microsoft last September.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
Travel plans for thousands of passengers could be disrupted as the air traffic control (ATC) staffing meltdown at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) continued into its second week on Monday.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
As iconic as a good Restaurant Wars meltdown can be, the stress rarely pays off quite like watching teams grind out great restaurants despite all odds.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for melt down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melt down
Verb
-
This offbeat, easygoing ride includes stops to sample tropical fruits (freshly cracked coconut, mangoes, and key limes), facts and sightings of tropical flora, and cruises down side streets showcasing Key West’s diverse residential architecture (Shotgun, Bahamian, and Conch-style).—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
8 May 2025
-
However, inconsistent land motion–like what researchers observed in Houston–can crack and destabilize buildings, foundations, and infrastructure.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Key Background Trump announced a new slate of tariffs against all U.S. trading partners on April 2, sending stock markets in the U.S. and abroad into a tailspin, fueling recession fears and prompting some of his allies in the business community to speak out against the policy.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
-
Bobby’s death is going to send every other character on this show into an emotional tailspin, and who knows what could emerge from that?—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
They're forced to work together again during the Newton collapse, and Graham's sacrifice triggers something in both of them.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
16 May 2025
-
The collapse of the Assad regime in December occurred when Ahmed al-Sharaa’s group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a rebel coalition.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Every so often, the E.R. is visited by rats, little symbols of disrepair and instigators of slapstick freak-outs.—
James Poniewozik,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Enter another Jamie freak-out, which seems to come out of nowhere.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
States like Florida could be forced to assume billions in costs for health care and disaster preparedness.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 2025
-
On Tuesday night, President Donald Trump reversed a decision by his administration to deny a major disaster declaration for the March 14-15 storms that devastated much of north Arkansas.—
Neal Earley,
Arkansas Online,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Photo: Logan White Rose Byrne is a frightening revelation in this spiraling, hyper-anxious-making story of a mother going through a nervous breakdown.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
3 Feb. 2025
-
That ethical dodge — congratulating modern progress, ignoring this era’s nervous breakdown — is the basic, political, insensitive reason that contemporary Hollywood cannot create love stories.—
Armond White,
National Review,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Somehow, yes, Charlie and Mia survive the myriad bloodbaths that keep springing up around them.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Let the inevitable eye-popping, stomach-churning bloodbath commence.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
That includes allegations that in 2024, Burgin would consistently put his hands on her—scratching, choking her, and slamming her head into a wall.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
19 May 2025
-
The girl, whose family identified her as Lily, was driven to a remote location on the night of May 3, where her ex-boyfriend then assaulted her, choked her and threw her from a moving vehicle, the Star-Telegram previously reported.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Melt down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melt%20down. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share