tailspin

noun

tail·​spin ˈtāl-ˌspin How to pronounce tailspin (audio)
1
2
: a mental or emotional letdown or collapse
3
: a sustained and usually severe decline or downturn
stock prices in a tailspin

Examples of tailspin in a Sentence

Stock prices are in a tailspin. The team went into a tailspin and lost six straight games.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Meanwhile, after years of out-of-control borrowing and high interest rates, national debt was ballooning, and the economy went into a tailspin. Justice Baidoo, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Dec. 2024 The losing Anderson, meanwhile, went into a tailspin the next season, making just 19 of 30 field goals with his 63.3% a career low. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 20 Nov. 2024 This sent the tribal council into a tailspin as the remaining players scrambled on who to vote out. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 7 Nov. 2024 Days later, Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy, sending the already-faltering economy into a tailspin. Dan Alexander, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tailspin 

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tailspin was in 1917

Dictionary Entries Near tailspin

Cite this Entry

“Tailspin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailspin. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

tailspin

noun
tail·​spin ˈtā(ə)l-ˌspin How to pronounce tailspin (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on tailspin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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