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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Recent Examples of tanking
The Roberts court, unusually obsessed with the Supreme Court’s public reputation and appearance of political interference, might consider such a ruling a way to balance limiting executive power without tanking the broader economy.
—
Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
One example in Thursday’s indictment alleges that a co-conspirator told a bettor several Portland players would be sitting out a March 23, 2023, game as the Blazers were tanking for a better draft pick, allegedly leading to more than $100,000 in wagers that Portland would lose.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
In the last few years, MLB, NFL, NCAA and the NBA all have examples of players who have been busted for either betting on games, or effectively tanking to affect a bet.
—Mac Engel
october 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
In the new show from Vince Gilligan, starring Better Call Saul’s Rhea Seehorn, one lady is tanking the energy of the entire world.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2025
In Chad Powers, new episodes available to stream Tuesdays on Hulu, Powell plays hotshot quarterback Russ Holliday, who disguises himself as the titular football player to join a new team after tanking his own college career.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
Back in 2019 the Dolphins were intentionally tanking the team, trading quality players before the season and routinely inserting players claimed off the waiver wire into the lineup.
—Omar Kelly
updated October 19, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
The Wizards, Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets openly tanking are focusing on player development ahead of a strong 2026 draft.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
White’s probe confirmed allegations of tampering but didn’t find sufficient evidence of tanking.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
One example in Thursday’s indictment alleges that a co-conspirator told a bettor several Portland players would be sitting out a March 23, 2023, game as the Blazers were tanking for a better draft pick, allegedly leading to more than $100,000 in wagers that Portland would lose.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
In the last few years, MLB, NFL, NCAA and the NBA all have examples of players who have been busted for either betting on games, or effectively tanking to affect a bet.
—Mac Engel
october 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
In the new show from Vince Gilligan, starring Better Call Saul’s Rhea Seehorn, one lady is tanking the energy of the entire world.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2025
In Chad Powers, new episodes available to stream Tuesdays on Hulu, Powell plays hotshot quarterback Russ Holliday, who disguises himself as the titular football player to join a new team after tanking his own college career.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
Back in 2019 the Dolphins were intentionally tanking the team, trading quality players before the season and routinely inserting players claimed off the waiver wire into the lineup.
—Omar Kelly
updated October 19, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
The Wizards, Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets openly tanking are focusing on player development ahead of a strong 2026 draft.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
White’s probe confirmed allegations of tampering but didn’t find sufficient evidence of tanking.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tanking
Verb
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In the video, the mako shark bursts from the water and lands on the bow of the boat, flopping around before coming to rest near the front of the vessel.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Van Gogh, now visually fitting in with his family, then scampered about his habitat with his ears flopping along with him.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Reservoirs supplying Tehran and other urban centers have dropped to critically low levels, while agricultural production in the nation’s most fertile regions is collapsing, threatening food security and rural livelihoods.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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Dorzon had been shot 11 times and his girlfriend had also been hit, collapsing on the front lawn.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Rams 23, 49ers 20 Lock of the Week Much was made this week about the Bills failing to acquire a wide receiver at the trade deadline and whether that handicaps their Super Bowl chances.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
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There was excessive growth of microtubules that wasn’t caused by an increase in gene activity, but likely due to the cells failing to clear away old or misfolded proteins.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Listed by Carmen Galzerano of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, the six-bedroom, nine-bath home offers roughly 11,700 square feet across three levels punctuated with arched doorways, sliding wrought-iron and glass barn doors, and folding walls of glass.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
11 Nov. 2025
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Critics were quick to accuse the Democratic defectors of folding despite holding an arguably strong position on the shutdown.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement Her victory also carries national implications for Democrats, who are struggling to chart a path between progressive energy and centrist caution ahead of the 2026 midterms.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
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Always Greener, which scored 15 nominations on the annual Brit List, is a high concept script that follows a struggling artist, haunted by past failure, who is given a one-in-a-million chance to become his rich and successful doppelganger from a parallel universe.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Despite posting one of the highest payrolls in all of baseball, the Mets ended up missing the postseason following a 4-0 loss to the Miami Marlins in the last game of the regular season.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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There was always at least one letter missing from the words Racquet Club on the outside of the building.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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An art conservator who'd prefer to be immersed in detail work, Sarah is bombing as the host of a dinner party where her entrepreneur husband (Tom Riley) hopes to impress an obnoxious prospective investor (Tom Goodman-Hill) when a literal explosive goes off in her neighborhood.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
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Trump has often expressed verbal frustration with Putin, accusing him of making positive diplomatic noises before bombing Ukrainian civilians again, but until now had avoided taking direct action.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tanking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tanking. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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