as in breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
the pressures of his job nearly caused him to go into a tailspin
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Recent Examples of tailspin
But once people started reemerging into the world to once again hit the gym and ride their bikes outdoors, the company began to struggle, a tailspin that has been ongoing ever since.
—
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
When a team is in a tailspin — much like the Lakers, who’ve lost 10 of their last 17 — playing time and points can become major issues for players looking for new contracts.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The abrupt issuance then reversal of cutting life-saving programs sent providers and communities into a tailspin.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
This, coupled with the volatility of Oracle’s stock, sent market sentiment into a tailspin.
—Li Jun, Footwear News, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tailspin
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
When a team is in a tailspin — much like the Lakers, who’ve lost 10 of their last 17 — playing time and points can become major issues for players looking for new contracts.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The abrupt issuance then reversal of cutting life-saving programs sent providers and communities into a tailspin.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
This, coupled with the volatility of Oracle’s stock, sent market sentiment into a tailspin.
—Li Jun, Footwear News, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tailspin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tailspin
breakdown
Noun
-
Fungi fossils preserved in the chert contained compounds from the breakdown of chitin and glucan, key structural molecules in fungi.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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Early motorists often carried tools and spare parts, expecting breakdowns as part of the journey.—
Bill Gourgey,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tailspin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tailspin. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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