free fall

NOUN

rapid decline or descent

Synonyms

WEAK

collapse decline dive drop nosedive plummet plummeting plunge sag slump

Antonyms

WEAK

upturn

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After touching an all-time high around $125,000 in October, bitcoin went into free fall, and its spectacular rally was matched by an equally dramatic decline.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

Software and services stocks have been in free fall for weeks, dragging the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF to the lowest levels in nearly a year and more than 30% from its mid-September peak.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

An economy that had been showing tiny signs of life not long ago is in a free fall, predicted to contract 3% in 2026 with inflation to hit 682%, said the International Monetary Fund.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

Still, there is no denying that, like all awards shows, the Emmys are in a ratings free fall.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2025

We hit a slight free fall before Flo suddenly tips over, throwing us all through the air.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer