as in cracked
to yield to mental or emotional stress
rather than melt down, the team strengthened their resolve and ended up winning the game
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Recent Examples of melted down
This is a rematch of the Patriots’ wild-card round win over the Chargers, when Justin Herbert melted down against New England’s defense.
—
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026
The internet melted down this week because Rodrigo chose to have a sense of fashion.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2026
Few expected this outcome, since the ornate helmet in particular would have been virtually unsellable without being melted down.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Many original prints were later lost, particularly during World War I, when film materials were melted down for their silver and celluloid content.
—Ryan Brennan
april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
The former Exide Technologies plant in Vernon melted down pallets of lead-acid car batteries in blast furnaces for nearly a century, blanketing up to 10,000 nearby properties with toxic dust, according to state officials.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Experts feared it would be melted down for its gold.
—Ryan Brennan
april 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
Except, in this case, cyber defenses have already melted down.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026
So there was plenty to like about the Royals’ third straight victory after an 0-2 start … even after the bullpen melted down an 11-run lead to four in the final innings.
—Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026
The internet melted down this week because Rodrigo chose to have a sense of fashion.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2026
Few expected this outcome, since the ornate helmet in particular would have been virtually unsellable without being melted down.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Many original prints were later lost, particularly during World War I, when film materials were melted down for their silver and celluloid content.
—Ryan Brennan
april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
The former Exide Technologies plant in Vernon melted down pallets of lead-acid car batteries in blast furnaces for nearly a century, blanketing up to 10,000 nearby properties with toxic dust, according to state officials.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Experts feared it would be melted down for its gold.
—Ryan Brennan
april 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
Except, in this case, cyber defenses have already melted down.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026
So there was plenty to like about the Royals’ third straight victory after an 0-2 start … even after the bullpen melted down an 11-run lead to four in the final innings.
—Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melted down
Verb
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Financial assets accumulated over the years through oil and gas sales have been cracked open to help fund the effort, and state funds pour into the development of the latest military technologies — such as kamikaze drones.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2026
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The Tequila features aromas of fresh agave, cracked white pepper, citrus zest, and light, earthy tones, with a faint smokiness in the background.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
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According to court documents, witnesses told police Reyes lunged at the flight attendant, grabbed him by the head and choked him – which prompted passengers and another flight attendant to restrain Reyes with flex cuffs and seatbelt extenders.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
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The ongoing Iran war has choked global oil supplies, driving up carriers' operating costs.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Making the situation even more difficult, a drainage pump broke down, said fellow diver Yoshitaka Isaji of Japan.—
Jintamas Saksornchai,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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The study scientists believe that when the sunlight hit the mixture, chlorine formed and broke down some of the methane produced by the eruption.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Melted down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melted%20down. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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