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.

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

The recent free fall in software stocks has spilled over to the chip sector, and a Bank of America analyst says the selling doesn’t make sense.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 4, 2026

By midday in New York, metals prices were in free fall.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

He set a record for fastest free fall, descending 127,852 feet at 843.6 mph and becoming the first human to break the sound barrier without the assistance of a vehicle.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2025

Leo was lashed to the control console, desperately trying to right the ship as they spiralled downward in free fall.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan