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, 7 May 2026
When managing a schedule of roughly 60 games, there isn’t time to be patient or let hitters work through slumps.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Some of it can be attributed to luck, and some to facing teams in the midst of horrific slumps, such as the New York Mets and Phillies.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
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
Everybody goes through their slumps.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
Sometimes, players just go through slumps.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
When managing a schedule of roughly 60 games, there isn’t time to be patient or let hitters work through slumps.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Some of it can be attributed to luck, and some to facing teams in the midst of horrific slumps, such as the New York Mets and Phillies.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
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
Everybody goes through their slumps.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slumps
Noun
-
Households consumed less, firms invested less, imports fell, and recessions compressed spending.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
If recessions are episodic and random, then contractionary fiscal or monetary policy during a downturn — the kind of austerity attempted in Britain’s 1847 financial crisis and catastrophically misapplied during the Great Depression—is almost certain to make things worse.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 May 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
-
Green struggles to score 16 points in an empty gym.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
-
The departures of certain Kaiser Permanente offices and a string of prominent restaurant and bar closures have come to symbolize the city’s struggles to retain employers and attract new ones.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
7 May 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
-
If the passion wanes, apathy can set in.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
If flower production wanes a bit, give them a drink of liquid fertilizer.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
3 May 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
-
When a security system declines a valid purchase, the customer often abandons the cart and moves to a competitor.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
Distribution revenue was $858 million as vs $870 million on net subscriber declines.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slumps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slumps. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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