slump

1 of 2

verb

ˈsləmp How to pronounce slump (audio)
slumped; slumping; slumps
Synonyms of slumpnext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to fall or sink suddenly
b
: to drop or slide down suddenly : collapse
2
: to assume a drooping posture or carriage : slouch
3
: to go into a slump
sales slumped

slump

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a marked or sustained decline especially in economic activity or prices
b
: a period of poor or losing play by a team or individual
2
: a downward slide of a mass of rock or land

Synonyms of slump

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Noun

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Examples of slump in a Sentence

Verb She fainted and slumped to the floor. Exhausted, he slumped down into the chair. His shoulders slumped forward in disappointment. Real estate prices slumped during the recession. Noun The economy's been in a slump since last year. They've been in a slump ever since they traded their best player. He's in a batting slump.
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.
Verb
Tadawul, as the exchange is known, is looking to develop derivatives trading as a new source of revenue to help diversify its income at a time when fee income from stock trading has slumped. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Shares of Oracle have slumped 25% over the past three months on investor concern over mounting debt and credit downgrades, lagging its large-cap technology peers, which have gained an average of about 10% each, per Citi. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
Bitcoin has been in a prolonged slump since October, and BTIG noted that a similar surge in January 2023 initially faded before the cryptocurrency found support around its 200-day moving average. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 Cal Raleigh busted out of a season-long slump with the first three-homer game of his career Monday night. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slump

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably imitative

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of slump was circa 1677

Rhymes for slump

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Browse Nearby Words

slummy
slump
slump bedding
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slump. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

slump

1 of 2 verb
ˈsləmp How to pronounce slump (audio)
1
: to drop or slide down suddenly : collapse
2
: to assume a stooped posture : slouch
3
: to fall off sharply

slump

2 of 2 noun
: a marked or continued reduction especially in economic activity or prices

More from Merriam-Webster on slump

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slump

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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