as in breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
the pressures of his job nearly caused him to go into a tailspin
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Recent Examples of tailspin
The Blue Jackets had sputtered along offensively for more than two weeks, scoring only 16 goals during a 2-7-1 tailspin that knocked them out of a playoff spot.
—
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
In the film, Zendaya's Emma reveals her deepest, darkest secret to her fiancé, which sends their relationship and upcoming wedding into a tailspin.
—Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
If Miami continues its late season tailspin and finishes with a worse record than the Western Conference teams that lose in the play-in, the Heat could rise to the 11th lottery seed (unlikely) or 12th seed.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
With the documentary world in a financial tailspin, and network news facing new threats under the FCC, movies about movies that once would’ve disgusted me suddenly feel like essential bursts of self-awareness.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tailspin
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
In the film, Zendaya's Emma reveals her deepest, darkest secret to her fiancé, which sends their relationship and upcoming wedding into a tailspin.
—Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
If Miami continues its late season tailspin and finishes with a worse record than the Western Conference teams that lose in the play-in, the Heat could rise to the 11th lottery seed (unlikely) or 12th seed.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
With the documentary world in a financial tailspin, and network news facing new threats under the FCC, movies about movies that once would’ve disgusted me suddenly feel like essential bursts of self-awareness.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tailspin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tailspin
breakdown
Noun
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According to spending breakdowns from the California Department of Education, administrative salaries account for a single‑digit share of K–12 education spending statewide.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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And that breakdown can affect facial structure.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tailspin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tailspin. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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