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.
The president’s steep tariffs threw the global economy into a tailspin Thursday, with stocks down around the world, the U.S. markets leading the way. Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 The rollout of President Donald Trump’s tariffs , which includes 20% rates on the European Union and a 46% duty on Vietnam, sent stocks into a tailspin . Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025 Trump began speaking shortly a little after markets closed at 4 p.m. ET, sending stock futures into a tailspin. Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025 Le Pen herself was not around to hear the chief judge pronounce the sentence that threw her career into a tailspin. Arkansas Online, 1 Apr. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tailspin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailspin. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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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