Synonyms of tailspin

tailspin

noun

ˈtāl-ˌspin 

as in breakdown

a mental or nervous collapse

the pressures of his job nearly caused him to go into a tailspin

Synonyms & Similar Words

• breakdown
• nervous breakdown
• disturbance
• crack-up
• anxiety
• meltdown
• freak-out
• excitability
• nervousness
• agitation
• disquiet
• perturbation
• alarm
• frazzle
• apprehension
• basket case
• discomposure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• composure
• calmness
• serenity
• coolness
• tranquility
• aplomb
• placidity
• imperturbability
• tranquilness
• sereneness
• self-possession

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tailspin

Simultaneously, Fumiko and Emi cross paths at the library, where the revelation that the family at least tangentially responsible for her son’s death now have an adorable little sprog of their own, threatens to send Emi into an emotional tailspin. — James Marsh, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026

The 2018 tailspin had followed a massive momentum crescendo and reversal several months earlier, which gave way to an erratic tape that couldn't absorb what seemed at the time relatively unthreatening Federal Reserve tightening actions. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026

And Criss was concerned that unchecked growth of the program, coupled with a spree of tax cuts, could put the state budget into a tailspin. — Henry Culvyhouse, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2026

The financial costs from the Iran war likely help explain why consumer confidence is in a tailspin and why the war is so unpopular. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026