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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1
as in tailspin
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in collapse
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of melt down
Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Practice non-reaction This can feel counterintuitive, but sometimes the best strategy is to take a pause and not immediately react or intervene when your child is melting down.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 3 Apr. 2026
Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Lawmakers are taking the position that tax revenues are up and that the state economy is doing much better than when the Tier 6 reform plan was instituted in 2012, as the nation was still recovering from the 2008 financial meltdown.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for melt down
Verb
Except, in this case, cyber defenses have already melted down.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Practice non-reaction This can feel counterintuitive, but sometimes the best strategy is to take a pause and not immediately react or intervene when your child is melting down.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
Eagles fans wanted running back Ricky Williams, and much like with Kiper's draft day meltdown, this one is even funnier in hindsight.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Lawmakers are taking the position that tax revenues are up and that the state economy is doing much better than when the Tier 6 reform plan was instituted in 2012, as the nation was still recovering from the 2008 financial meltdown.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for melt down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melt down
Verb
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But as the ball swung around the perimeter, opportunities arose for the likes of Dosunmu and McDaniels to crack the paint off the bounce.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The physicality ramped up early in the second period when the B’s fourth line flexed their muscle and cracked Lyon.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Injuries to offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt sent the line into a tailspin.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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Geoffroy van Raemdonck, who has been tasked with navigating Saks Global out of its post-bankruptcy tailspin as its new CEO, serves as an adviser to the company.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But Friday was the collapse that may define their season.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Oil revenue is the linchpin of Russia’s economy, allowing Putin to pour money into the armed forces without worsening inflation for everyday people and avoiding a currency collapse.—
Karel Janicek,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The episode was almost entirely about Margo and her continued freak-out.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
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For now, though, Chang is in her bubble up north and witnessing most of the freak-outs remotely and not in person.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Chernobyl disaster is the worst nuclear power plant accident ever in terms of death toll and cost.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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Satellite connectivity can act as a backup during disasters like hurricanes or wildfires.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This happened years before, in such a serious way that my friend had to take a three-month medical leave of absence due to what was likely a nervous breakdown.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
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When their news anchor (Peter Finch) has a nervous breakdown on the air, suddenly their ratings turn around, bringing on a moral morass only some of them are prepared to face.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The victims, who died from smoke inhalation, might have made it out of the Belmont building alive if their neighbors had closed their doors and choked the oxygen that fed the massive five-alarm fire on Tuesday afternoon.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
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In November 2025, Biggs was preparing for practice in the locker room when Hebert allegedly approached another teammate and choked him in response to a post on Instagram, according to the lawsuit.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That breakdown was not available in the CRA filings, and the foundation said the final net figures can fall between 8% and 10% of total raffle revenue.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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About Route 66 Extended Warranty Route 66 offers three extended warranty plans to financially help car owners when a mechanical breakdown occurs.—
Anna Popp,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Melt down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melt%20down. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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