melt down 1 of 2

Definition of melt downnext
as in to crack
to yield to mental or emotional stress rather than melt down, the team strengthened their resolve and ended up winning the game

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meltdown

2 of 2

noun

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 melt down
Verb
The program later showed Sullivan calling her boyfriend to tell him the news in one of the show's most shocking moments, which saw her partner melt down on the other end of the phone. Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 22 June 2026 The industry was already struggling with cost overruns when, in 1979, a reactor at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania partially melted down and slammed the brakes on further expansion. IEEE Spectrum, 15 June 2026
Noun
Cameras later caught Cunningham laughing as Bonner's meltdown escalated, and both players were hit with technical fouls. Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026 In the wake of the financial collapse of 2007-08, Greenspan drew scrutiny for decisions that some critics believe set the stage for the meltdown. Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for melt down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melt down
Verb
  • Herman Weisberg, a former NYPD detective turned high-profile private investigator, believes one phone call could still crack the case.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • The item was later determined to be crack cocaine, the sheriff’s office said.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Heck, even chores like grocery shopping and filling up on gas are enough to send me into a tailspin after looking at the bill.
    Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 1 June 2026
  • That is, until a conversation about having children throws their relationship into a tailspin.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Vibrations from earth-moving equipment could have triggered further collapses, possibly dooming Gil — and his would-be rescuers.
    Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Historians have devoted enormous attention to the collapse of the royal courts, the creation of state judiciaries, the drafting of new constitutions, and the construction of the legal institutions of the new republic.
    Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • This practice carries risks, such as choking and aspiration, or food entering the airway.
    Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Historically, modest fires every seven to 20 years kept forests from being overgrown and choked with highly flammable dead wood and brush, Williams said.
    Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • Much of the freak-out was fed by polls supposedly showing Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco atop the field.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
  • The episode was almost entirely about Margo and her continued freak-out.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Rodríguez said numerous public officials died in the disaster, including security personnel, municipal employees and military officers.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • The Boyle Heights blaze, similar to the Eaton and Palisades fires, has revealed the region’s air monitoring can’t always tell people what they’ve been exposed to in a disaster.
    Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • In the video, with over 10 million views, Savoie spends several minutes breaking down the soccer star’s collection.
    Teddy Brown, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • After 90-plus minutes of frustration and failure to break down cagey South Africa at SoFi Stadium, Canada made history in an instant when Alistair Johnston’s long pass into the box was cleared directly into the path of Eustáquio.
    Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Melt down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melt%20down. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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