melt down 1 of 2

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

meltdown

2 of 2

noun

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
Luigi Mangione musical already sold out, opening in San Francisco Liberals melt down over Donald Trump as Pope, star wars Jedi; MAGA as fandom? The Hill, 5 May 2025 The precious metal isn’t just a superfluous adornment; it’s seen as a liquid asset: something that can be traded, act as collateral or melted down and sold. Sadiya Ansari Spandita Malik, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
To top it off, an air traffic control meltdown plagued Newark Liberty International Airport for weeks after staffing shortages and technology outages caused hours-long delays. Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 23 May 2025 The film provides no answers but plunges nightmarishly onward into the questions, changing form at will as though, here at the event horizon of global meltdown, all the regular rules and codes have started to warp and bend. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for melt down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melt down
Verb
  • Once it’s done baking, slightly open your oven to release the steam and allow the cake to adjust to room temperature before setting in the fridge, ensuring your cheesecake doesn’t dry out or crack in the process.
    Sam Settleman, New York Times, 1 June 2025
  • The men beat 27-year-old Chin with a baseball bat, cracking his skull.
    Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • And, maybe more importantly, are the Steelers — whose 2024 season went into a tailspin around the time Pickens was injured — any better positioned to handle an injury to their No. 1 receiver?
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • The move sent stock markets in the U.S. and abroad into a tailspin, fueled recession fears and prompted some of Trump’s allies in the business community to speak out against the policy.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • There were also signs of lung collapse and fluid buildup (edema).
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, rural hospitals — already on the brink of collapse — will close their doors, leaving entire communities without access to emergency care.
    Brian Castrucci, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • What follows is a melee of pratfalls and freak-outs, a guffaw-worthy display by such a fine group of actors.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 21 May 2025
  • Expect multiple scenes of the characters engaging in psychedelic frolics and freak-outs, some of which illustrate their backstories through sweaty, surreal vignettes.
    Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • After the fires, the governor formed the Climate Advisory Team (CAT) to develop climate disaster policy recommendations.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 29 May 2025
  • The first episode features the recreation by actors of actual communication or lack of communication between the pilot and his junior officer that led to these disasters.
    Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • His views collide with those of the town’s mayor, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal), a local bar owner who briefly dated Joe’s wife Louise, now recovering from a nervous breakdown.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2025
  • There are reports, along the path, of undisclosed illnesses that sound suspiciously like nervous breakdowns.
    John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Global equities had a bloodbath in the days that followed.
    Lee Ying Shan,Anniek Bao, CNBC, 29 May 2025
  • And so, Hutch and his kids decide to go on a vacation, one that quickly turns into a bloodbath as Hutch has to not only protect his family but also his identity from hit men.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Many of these artisans — traditionally known for their boldness and innovation — are finding ways to maintain quality and brand integrity without asking loyal customers to choke on the price.
    Gretchen Eichenberg, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
  • Chia seed water can be a choking hazard, so make sure the seeds are thoroughly soaked to prevent choking.
    Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 26 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Melt down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melt%20down. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!