BASKET CASE Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

basket case

noun

Definition of basket case

as in nervous breakdown

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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.

Recent Examples of basket case Though the microbus appeared unscathed, the vehicle in reality was a basket case and in need of more than 900 replacement parts, Volkswagen of America said in a statement on its restoration. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 24 Nov. 2025 America has become a fiscal basket case, and neither party is offering any kind of serious solution for a disaster that is already contributing to brutal inflation and may one day crush the value of the dollar. — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2025 His main accomplishment was to transform the country by giving us Joe Biden who then transformed the country into a basket case. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025 Over the course of their day together, Claire the princess (Ringwald), Andrew the jock (Estevez), Brian the brain (Hall), Allison the basket case (Sheedy) and John the criminal (Nelson) begin to drop their stereotypical public facades and reveal their private struggles. — Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for basket case

Recent Examples of Synonyms for basket case

Noun

As rumors grew about why Talarico was not seen in public during one of the tightest campaigns in the country, Paxton suggested that the Democratic hopeful had suffered a nervous breakdown of some kind.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
This had resulted in several nervous breakdowns during my first few weeks back home.

— Joe Manganiello, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of nervous breakdown

Noun

When the line between general unease with not knowing crosses into anxiety that interferes with daily life, people should seek professional help, said Dugas.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Given Abbey’s anxieties about spending money and fear of not having enough, Stacy plans to use very conservative assumptions for inflation, health costs and average returns when making her projections based on Abbey’s savings today.

— Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of anxiety

Noun

Biggs, the Republican nominee to lead the state, accuses the Democratic incumbent of sowing unnecessary alarm.

— Hannah Knowles The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Firefighters on Saturday evening continued battling a four-alarm fire at a Staten Island warehouse, the FDNY said.

— Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of alarm

Noun

Here’s a breakdown of the streaming platforms offering ABC for Grey’s Anatomy Season 23.

— Sophie Dunne, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
On June 11, WSU’s director of financial reporting asked Masterson for a breakdown of GoCreate’s software costs for the FY26 university audit.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of breakdown

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basket

basket case

basket cases

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“Basket case.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basket%20case. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of basket case

noun

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