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Definitions

splashdown

[splash-doun] / ˈsplæʃˌdaʊn /
NOUN
crash
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accident collapse impact pileup wreck
STRONG
bump crack-up crash-land crunch jar jolt percussion ram shock sideswipe smash thud thump total washout
WEAK
fender bender fender tag rear-ender smash-up stack up
Antonyms
WEAK
blastoff takeoff
NOUN
landing
Synonyms
WEAK
arrival termination
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascent blastoff liftoff takeoff

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.

Following splashdown, teams in San Diego removed several components for inspection and reuse before sending the spacecraft back to Kennedy.

From Science Daily • May 4, 2026

The “NOVA” presentation, bookended by takeoff and splashdown footage, isn’t for astrophysicists.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Next came the riskiest part, between re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere and splashdown.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

The astronauts did the first slingshot around the Moon in more than 50 years and traveled deeper into space than any humans before -- culminating in a smooth splashdown Friday off the coast of California.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

Additionally, the pressurized space helmets would cause headsets to jerk forward and cover their eyes during an actual splashdown, so they had to practice for this, as well.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson