as in losing it
to yield to mental or emotional stress
rather than melt down, the team strengthened their resolve and ended up winning the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 melting down
Practice non-reaction This can feel counterintuitive, but sometimes the best strategy is to take a pause and not immediately react or intervene when your child is melting down.
—
wendy Wisner, Parents, 3 Apr. 2026
Sidestep a financial wrangle if someone is melting down.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
Explosions near the site had already damaged a high-voltage power line; Ukraine feared the failure of cooling systems that prevent nuclear fuel from melting down.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
The first of the films is Blue Moon, a sweet-and-sour portrait of the lyricist Lorenz Hart (played by Ethan Hawke) melting down at a bar near the tail end of his Broadway career.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
If those systems fail—or simply run out of diesel—the plant would have no way to stop the nuclear fuel inside those reactors from overheating and potentially melting down.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Grok itself debunks the statement regarding Kirk; Musk’s AI tool cannot find evidence of Steele melting down over people mourning the assassination.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2025
The secret is melting down pink Himalayan salt to combine it with maple syrup.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Some teams look fantastic before melting down within a few weeks (2024 New Orleans Saints) and others can get off to a rough start before blossoming within the first two months (2024 Washington Commanders).
—Mike Kaye
september 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
wendy Wisner, Parents, 3 Apr. 2026
Sidestep a financial wrangle if someone is melting down.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
Explosions near the site had already damaged a high-voltage power line; Ukraine feared the failure of cooling systems that prevent nuclear fuel from melting down.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
The first of the films is Blue Moon, a sweet-and-sour portrait of the lyricist Lorenz Hart (played by Ethan Hawke) melting down at a bar near the tail end of his Broadway career.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
If those systems fail—or simply run out of diesel—the plant would have no way to stop the nuclear fuel inside those reactors from overheating and potentially melting down.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Grok itself debunks the statement regarding Kirk; Musk’s AI tool cannot find evidence of Steele melting down over people mourning the assassination.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2025
The secret is melting down pink Himalayan salt to combine it with maple syrup.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Some teams look fantastic before melting down within a few weeks (2024 New Orleans Saints) and others can get off to a rough start before blossoming within the first two months (2024 Washington Commanders).
—Mike Kaye
september 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melting down
Verb
-
From the buzz of the post position draw to the first look at the morning-line odds, Derby week always feels like the sport cracking open a fresh bottle of adrenaline.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The teen was looking forward to his 17th birthday on July 1, his mom said, her voice cracking from a night of crying.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Jurors then heard sounds of banging and choking — and Athena screaming and crying, the Star-Telegram reports.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
-
How about allegedly choking a live-in chef?—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The data breaking down the ways some states have had success in providing access to care could also provide local governments with ideas on how to make strides in a moment where health equity advocates are looking away from the federal government for assistance.—
Anil Oza,
STAT,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Many online are reacting to this viral video of a bus driver in Taiwan breaking down in tears during a dispute with a passenger.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On a balcony, this looks like breaking up the lineup by alternating hanging planters with those on the ground.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The show opens with a couple, Dan (Mike Mitchell) and Dana (Plaza), breaking up and their cat, Kevin (Jason Schwartzman), deciding he’s done with both humans and will find his own way in the world.—
Stuart Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Melting down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melting%20down. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
