as in breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
you're going to have a nervous breakdown if you keep up that pace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 nervous breakdown
Originally published in 1961, the novel follows Josephine, a young woman on the edge of a nervous breakdown.
—
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Then there was Spark’s nervous breakdown in January 1954.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025
Or perhaps Christie had a bout of amnesia or a nervous breakdown and traveled confusedly around England, as many of her biographers and her own doctors have suggested.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 24 July 2025
Maybe Pippa has a nervous breakdown and checks herself into a high-end spa/sanatorium in western Massachusetts.
—John Kenney, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervous breakdown
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Then there was Spark’s nervous breakdown in January 1954.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025
Or perhaps Christie had a bout of amnesia or a nervous breakdown and traveled confusedly around England, as many of her biographers and her own doctors have suggested.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 24 July 2025
Maybe Pippa has a nervous breakdown and checks herself into a high-end spa/sanatorium in western Massachusetts.
—John Kenney, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervous breakdown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervous breakdown
breakdown
Noun
-
The research says there’s no evidence that starting with slow breakdowns is advantageous.—
Joe Boylan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
While city data shows the murder rate is down 21% since 2024, the numbers appear to encompass statistics from each calendar year – with 2025’s full breakdown hinging on the completion of the year.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nervous breakdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervous%20breakdown. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share