nervous breakdown
noun
: an attack of mental or emotional disorder especially when of sufficient severity to require hospitalization
Examples of nervous breakdown in a Sentence
She had a nervous breakdown shortly after her sister's death.
He is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Recent Examples on the Web
His views collide with those of the town’s mayor, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal), a local bar owner who briefly dated Joe’s wife Louise, now recovering from a nervous breakdown.
—
Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2025
There are reports, along the path, of undisclosed illnesses that sound suspiciously like nervous breakdowns.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
What began with bouts of vomiting, internal bleeding, and heart tremors resulted in two nervous breakdowns, appendicitis, and, finally, a hysterectomy.
—Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2025
The series charts the far-reaching impacts of Claire’s nervous breakdown on her career, personal relationships and identity.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervous breakdown
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.
Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2025
There are reports, along the path, of undisclosed illnesses that sound suspiciously like nervous breakdowns.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
What began with bouts of vomiting, internal bleeding, and heart tremors resulted in two nervous breakdowns, appendicitis, and, finally, a hysterectomy.
—Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2025
The series charts the far-reaching impacts of Claire’s nervous breakdown on her career, personal relationships and identity.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervous breakdown
Cite this Entry
“Nervous breakdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nervous%20breakdown. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share