TANKING Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

tanking

verb

present participle of tank

as in flopping

to be unsuccessful her intended comeback movie tanked at the box office, and once again she was relegated to TV guest spots

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of tanking Uthmeier was previously the governor’s chief of staff and was entrusted to run DeSantis’ presidential campaign when his poll numbers were tanking. — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 For the first time, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said in June that Cubans — either on the island or living abroad — could take over running the hotels for the government as part of a new flurry of reforms designed to rescue the tanking economy. — Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Critics of the network business say the successful production and distribution arm has kept ITV’s share price from tanking over recent years as the TV ad market fell away, though that is just one read of the situation. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 July 2026 The Wizards had the NBA’s worst record during the 2025-26 season and won the final draft lottery before a new system is implemented that dings the three teams with the worst records—part of the league’s efforts to deter tanking. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 23 June 2026 First Up SpaceX’s selloff stretched into a third day Monday, wiping out all of its growth following a record-setting IPO and tanking Elon Musk’s fortune by more than $300 billion. — Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 The Orioles, after years of tanking to secure high draft picks, rebuilt around young position players. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 18 June 2026 The danger is not limited to tanking. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026 If that reversal doesn’t happen, all options are on the table, Warner warned, including tanking a bipartisan deal to extend FISA Section 702, the person said. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 3 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tanking

Verb

Brown has talked trash about Sixers center Joel Embiid and has accused him of flopping.

— Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Video shows Neil flopping his blubbery body around on the street, destroying fences and cuddling with traffic cones.

— Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of flopping

Verb

Elsewhere along the Black River, campers clung to collapsing structures and trees as floodwaters surged, while search crews continued looking for a woman swept away with her dogs.

— Hallie Golden, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
At the same time, though, the league is far more reliant on a regional TV model that’s currently in the midst of collapsing.

— John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of collapsing

Verb

The blue deluge within the party swept more moderate Democrat Mills from the race in April before the first ballot was cast, but now centrist figures of her ilk cast blame on progressives for failing to heed Platner's problems.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 9 July 2026
His approach has drawn criticism from some Sikh groups, who accuse Ottawa of failing to hold India accountable or safeguard Sikh Canadians from foreign interference and transnational repression.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

Definition of failing

Verb

The concerts are well attended; a folding chair is recommended.

— Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
But defaulting to something physical, even something as mundane as folding a shirt, leaves me feeling more restored (and productive) than a 15-minute scroll session ever did.

— Allison Palmer July 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026

Definition of folding

Verb

Small businesses are struggling to hire, with 62% trying to fill positions but 84% unable to find qualified applicants, revealing a significant skills gap.

— Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
The country is currently struggling with unemployment of around 8%, the UN estimates, and inflation that is running at what the World Bank estimates to be more than 40%.

— Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of struggling

Verb

In the early days, the page teemed with posts sharing objects found, along with heartfelt and, at times, gut-wrenching pleas for missing personal items.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Buxton rejoined the Twins on Saturday after missing the team’s previous four games with a right hip impingement.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of missing

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tanking

tanks

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“Tanking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tanking. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tanking

verb

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