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
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
How the fear of missing out might be tanking your mental health.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
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
How the fear of missing out might be tanking your mental health.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tanking
Verb
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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
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With Ares flopping, the insider says Leto’s currency in town has run colder than Morbius’ vampire blood.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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We’re used to seeing Survivor players doubling over or collapsing after an exhausting challenge in intense heat.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
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But those assumptions are collapsing under the weight of new realities.—
Klaus Schwab,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When a school receives five failing ratings, a 2015 Texas law requires the campus in question be closed or a state takeover of the entire district.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Nov. 2025
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Howe made three changes at half-time — Ramsey for Gordon, Osula for Woltemade, Schar for Krafth — but if anything, Newcastle regressed, failing to manage a shot on target between the 39th and 89th minute.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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View gallery - 9 images The new Hex from New Zealand company KEA Outdoors looks like an unassuming folding EDC (everyday carry) knife upon first glance.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Oct. 2025
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Continue folding them, following the angle of the cuts, until the crust is entirely pleated.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Connery was no stranger to struggling to find work.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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That’s a strong selling point at a time when many organizations are struggling to find qualified candidates to fill security roles.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Lakers ruled out seven players ahead of their matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, with the likes of Vincent, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Adou Thiero, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber and Marcus Smart all missing the contest.—
acoloma,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
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Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan also address what other fan-favorite contests missing from last season might return.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Oct. 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 3 Nov. 2025.
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