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
Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
His season has been a rollercoaster at times, interrupted by injuries and shooting slumps and the overall adjustment process to playing in Jokic’s orbit.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
Those slumps have largely driven down the retailer's stock in recent years.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Everyone already knows about the Red Sox’s struggles, especially at the plate, but the Mariners and Tigers’ early slumps have been equally puzzling.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
Coyle scored two goals, and Jenner, Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko — all mired in lengthy offensive slumps — scored.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Everybody goes through their slumps.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
An offense with a collective mindset can protect guys who are going through some slumps.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 25 Mar. 2026
Its housing market has also crashed, with major centers Auckland and Wellington suffering among their worst slumps in history, following a post-pandemic surge – with prices down nearly 30% in the capital since January 2022.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
Grier credited Warsofsky for helping to get the Sharks’ season back on track after at least three extended slumps.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
His season has been a rollercoaster at times, interrupted by injuries and shooting slumps and the overall adjustment process to playing in Jokic’s orbit.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
Those slumps have largely driven down the retailer's stock in recent years.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Everyone already knows about the Red Sox’s struggles, especially at the plate, but the Mariners and Tigers’ early slumps have been equally puzzling.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
Coyle scored two goals, and Jenner, Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko — all mired in lengthy offensive slumps — scored.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Everybody goes through their slumps.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
An offense with a collective mindset can protect guys who are going through some slumps.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 25 Mar. 2026
Its housing market has also crashed, with major centers Auckland and Wellington suffering among their worst slumps in history, following a post-pandemic surge – with prices down nearly 30% in the capital since January 2022.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slumps
Noun
-
Frey adds that society’s resistance to automation tends to coincide with economic downturns, like during the Great Depression, or recessions in the 1960s.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The restaurants that endure here — through recessions, the pandemic and waves of rapid development — do so because customers keep walking through their doors.—
Chyna Blackmon,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Bailey struggles in run defending, and his style of play is a lot like current Jet Will McDonald IV.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Nuggets will win the offensive boards, and even if Christian Braun struggles from 3 when dared to shoot, Minnesota will have no answer for Nikola Jokic.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The roof flakes, the porch sags.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Their constant companion in the campaign is the Amazona 180 bag that made its debut on the Loewe runway last October, a slouchy, one-handle style that sags open when left unzipped.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But when the heat wanes, a world dies, geologically speaking.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
7 Apr. 2026
-
But as the summer wanes on and the grass gets thicker, a bobber stopper might be necessary to get your bait through the holes in the grass and to the bottom where the bass lie in wait.—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2026
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
-
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
-
At the same time, the USPS has become increasingly dependent on package delivery as first-class mail declines, making large customers like Amazon even more important.—
Barbara Booth,
CNBC,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Brandenburg-Koch declines to talk specifically about the Busfield case.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slumps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slumps. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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