BASKET CASE Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

basket case

noun

Definition of basket case

as in nervous breakdown

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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 basket case Though the microbus appeared unscathed, the vehicle in reality was a basket case and in need of more than 900 replacement parts, Volkswagen of America said in a statement on its restoration. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 24 Nov. 2025 America has become a fiscal basket case, and neither party is offering any kind of serious solution for a disaster that is already contributing to brutal inflation and may one day crush the value of the dollar. — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2025 His main accomplishment was to transform the country by giving us Joe Biden who then transformed the country into a basket case. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025 Over the course of their day together, Claire the princess (Ringwald), Andrew the jock (Estevez), Brian the brain (Hall), Allison the basket case (Sheedy) and John the criminal (Nelson) begin to drop their stereotypical public facades and reveal their private struggles. — Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for basket case

Recent Examples of Synonyms for basket case

Noun

Embodied by Maradona, successive Argentinean national teams played with flair and toughness and an element of chaos, often on the edge of nervous breakdown.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
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

Definition of nervous breakdown

Noun

The headlines often focus on uber-selective colleges and universities, the lengths students and parents will go to access them, and the parts of the process of applying that evoke the most anxiety.

— Brennan Barnard, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
One of the most dreadful packing pain points is the anxiety of whether everything will actually fit in your suitcase, which, thankfully, my Away Bigger Carry-on has eliminated.

— Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of anxiety

Noun

Republican pollsters and political groups are raising the alarm that their party faces a listless and demotivated base ahead of November’s midterm elections.

— Liz Goodwin, Washington Post, 26 July 2026
The Emdmak door stop alarm is a small, but loud, extra layer of defense that doubles as a door stop and an alarm.

— Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026

Definition of alarm

Noun

The revelation gave the DOJ fresh evidence of a serious breakdown in the state’s voter registration system.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 30 July 2026
Annual tune-ups, regular filter changes and addressing small issues early can extend the life of your HVAC system while reducing the likelihood of expensive breakdowns that insurance won't cover.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of breakdown

Browse Nearby Words

basket

basket case

basket cases

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Basket case.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basket%20case. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of basket case

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

highfalutin

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes