as in cracks
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 melts down
The wedding — and especially Cassie and Nate’s dance, as Cassie melts down on the day she’s spent her life dreaming of, having learned about the deep financial hole Nate is in — must have felt especially layered.
—
Daniel D'addario,
Variety,
10 June 2026
The snowpack acts as a natural water storage system for California, and ideally when the region’s climate shifts from cold to warm and dry, the snow gradually melts down from rivers and creeks to fill reservoirs over a period of months.
—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Daniel D'addario,
Variety,
10 June 2026
The snowpack acts as a natural water storage system for California, and ideally when the region’s climate shifts from cold to warm and dry, the snow gradually melts down from rivers and creeks to fill reservoirs over a period of months.
—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melts down
Verb
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There was one where the both managers got ejected in the same moment, which cracks me up.
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This cracks long plastic chains into smaller hydrocarbon chunks.
Verb
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The Daily Money breaks down complex consumer and financial news.
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Below, Akinnuoye-Agbaje breaks down the climactic episode, explaining why Alamo decides to let Rue kill herself and why Bishop betrays him.
Verb
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Connecticut’s largest cities also struggle with the state’s highest property tax rates, which chokes business growth and, in turn, shifts more burden onto residential owners.
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Not the one who chokes in the playoffs.
Verb
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So, for instance, in a situation where somebody is no longer with us or somebody leaves a band or a band breaks up.
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The new map breaks up the state’s current 9th Congressional District, which is primarily made up of Memphis, and the state’s only majority-Black district.
Cite this Entry
“Melts down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melts%20down. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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