Rapid decline is a term used to describe a sudden and dramatic decrease in value or status. The term can be used to describe a variety of situations, from economic downturns to stock market crashes. In the crossword puzzle, three words were used to describe rapid decline: MELTDOWN (8 letters), NOSEDIVE (8 letters), and freefall (8 letters). A MELTDOWN is a sudden and catastrophic failure, usually caused by an overload of stress or pressure. A NOSEDIVE is a steep and rapid decline, often associated with a financial crash. Finally, freefall is a term used to describe a rapid and uncontrolled descent, usually referring to a situation where there is no hope of recovery.