nervous breakdown

noun

Synonyms of nervous breakdownnext
: an attack of mental or emotional disorder especially when of sufficient severity to require hospitalization

Synonyms of nervous breakdown

Examples of nervous breakdown in a Sentence

She had a nervous breakdown shortly after her sister's death. He is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
After suffering a nervous breakdown and being taken care of by Marlon Brando’s daughter Cheyenne in Tahiti, Jones eventually returned to his life as a mogul of music, television and magazines. Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026 Some people in Caracas and surrounding areas suffered nervous breakdowns following the events of Wednesday afternoon, compounded by warnings that their homes might collapse. Gustavo Ocando Alex, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 Parker collapsed under it all, finding herself in the throes of a nervous breakdown on the floor of her home in Philadelphia. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 12 June 2026 Decades later, some of the biggest criticisms of Communion are arguably among its most charming virtues, from Walken's idiosyncratic performance as a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown to the cheesy special effects. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nervous breakdown

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nervous breakdown was in 1866

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Cite this Entry

“Nervous breakdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nervous%20breakdown. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

nervous breakdown

noun
: an attack of mental or emotional disorder that is severe enough to require hospitalization

Medical Definition

nervous breakdown

noun
: an attack of mental or emotional disorder especially when of sufficient severity to require hospitalization

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