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
In the film, Zendaya's Emma reveals her deepest, darkest secret to her fiancé, which sends their relationship and upcoming wedding into a tailspin.
—
Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
If Miami continues its late season tailspin and finishes with a worse record than the Western Conference teams that lose in the play-in, the Heat could rise to the 11th lottery seed (unlikely) or 12th seed.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
With the documentary world in a financial tailspin, and network news facing new threats under the FCC, movies about movies that once would’ve disgusted me suddenly feel like essential bursts of self-awareness.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
At the story’s start Mathilda happens upon a new Transfixion, the obscure Black modernist poet Hermia Druitt, who sends her into a tailspin unlike any who came before.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tailspin
Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
If Miami continues its late season tailspin and finishes with a worse record than the Western Conference teams that lose in the play-in, the Heat could rise to the 11th lottery seed (unlikely) or 12th seed.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
With the documentary world in a financial tailspin, and network news facing new threats under the FCC, movies about movies that once would’ve disgusted me suddenly feel like essential bursts of self-awareness.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
At the story’s start Mathilda happens upon a new Transfixion, the obscure Black modernist poet Hermia Druitt, who sends her into a tailspin unlike any who came before.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tailspin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tailspin
breakdown
Noun
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That breakdown was not available in the CRA filings, and the foundation said the final net figures can fall between 8% and 10% of total raffle revenue.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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About Route 66 Extended Warranty Route 66 offers three extended warranty plans to financially help car owners when a mechanical breakdown occurs.—
Anna Popp,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tailspin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tailspin. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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