as in recessions
a period of decreased economic activity
the stock market is in a bit of a slump, but analysts expect things to pick up in the next fiscal quarter
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Recent Examples of slumps
Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Pairing coffee with food slows absorption and helps avoid the energy slumps that drive people to reach for more.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
Software development and human resources roles, which witnessed long slumps, have risen steadily since February.
—Conor Sen, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
And while the club has remained competitive for much of the year so far, several key hitters have endured slumps that aren’t helping the lineup meet expectations.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
The offense so rarely gives everyone else a night off — so rarely allows for a bullpen or starting rotation to endure even the shortest of slumps, let alone the kind of slump the Royals’ bullpen has endured this year.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
For most young players, their first season in the majors is characterized by hot streaks and slumps.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
Just like your favorite athlete, your favorite (or at times, least favorite) sports bettor goes through slumps.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
The extremes of his slumps waned and his strikeouts dipped significantly.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Noun
And, just like batters go into slumps, so do pitchers.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Pairing coffee with food slows absorption and helps avoid the energy slumps that drive people to reach for more.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
Software development and human resources roles, which witnessed long slumps, have risen steadily since February.
—Conor Sen, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
And while the club has remained competitive for much of the year so far, several key hitters have endured slumps that aren’t helping the lineup meet expectations.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
The offense so rarely gives everyone else a night off — so rarely allows for a bullpen or starting rotation to endure even the shortest of slumps, let alone the kind of slump the Royals’ bullpen has endured this year.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
For most young players, their first season in the majors is characterized by hot streaks and slumps.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
Just like your favorite athlete, your favorite (or at times, least favorite) sports bettor goes through slumps.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
The extremes of his slumps waned and his strikeouts dipped significantly.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slumps
Noun
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After interest rates retreated from their highs and the economy recovered from the back-to-back recessions of the early 1980s, home sales began another fairly steady rise.—
Bill Conerly,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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The second was an informal rule that the government could borrow, but only during recessions and wars.—
Steve H. Hanke,
Fortune,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The effortlessly cool shape sits low on the hips, with a shorter inseam that slouches through a subtle, flattering drape.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Footwear News,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jarring, shuddery close-ups illustrate the never-ending emotional spiral of its main character, Linda (Byrne), who struggles to raise a kid who has a chronic health issue while keeping her home and career stable.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Dec. 2025
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In particular, China struggles to manufacture the most advanced chips, putting it behind the world’s largest chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Kingsley directs with confidence, even though the film sags a bit when the ever-escalating action starts to overtake the character comedy.—
Caryn James,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2025
Verb
-
The president’s approval on economic issues — long his strongest political asset — has slipped modestly since the spring, as public confidence in his handling of government operations wanes.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Nov. 2025
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As enthusiasm for the toothy Labubu plush toy inevitably wanes, Pop Mart faces pressure to diversify its IP portfolio.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Too thick of a mascara coat, and suddenly my gaze droops.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The cream should hold a soft, semi-sturdy peak that gently droops at the tip without collapsing entirely.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This year’s team is an exceptional group of talented players, but their defense fouls too much, Smith dribbles too much and our shooting percentage often tanks.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
17 Feb. 2026
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This setback tanks the trade value the Mavericks had hoped to restore following his return from a left calf strain that kept him out of 14 games this season.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That’s down to the 3D model producing a little less warming for a brighter Sun, the expectation that CO2 declines more slowly over time, and a slight expansion of the CO2 range believed to be survivable by plants.—
Scott K. Johnson,
ArsTechnica,
15 June 2026
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Scientists found that a protein called NOX4 naturally declines with age and inactivity.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slumps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slumps. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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