What does landsliding mean?
Landsliding describes motion or change of exceptional speed and force. Literally, it refers to earth or debris moving rapidly down a slope as a landslide. The figurative use is much more common in politics, business, finance, and public opinion: a landsliding defeat is an overwhelming electoral loss, while landsliding prices or support suggest a steep, uncontrolled decline. The word conveys not merely a change, but one so sudden and substantial that it resembles natural collapse. It is especially useful when the scale of a reversal or downturn is important, although it can sound more dramatic than neutral descriptions such as “a sharp fall” or “a substantial decline.” Because it normally appears before a noun in figurative constructions, “landsliding” is often classified as an adjective. It can also function as a present participle when describing the physical process of a landslide.
Characterized by a sudden, steep, and uncontrolled decline or collapse.
"The firm announced that it was facing a landsliding loss in overseas sales."
Commonly used attributively to describe elections, political fortunes, prices, or public support.
To move or fall as a landslide, especially suddenly and uncontrollably.
"The hillside began landsliding after the retaining wall cracked."
This literal use is uncommon compared with the figurative adjectival use.
A landsliding election ends with a winner, but the loser disappears over the edge in a landslide of votes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does landsliding come from?
The word is formed from “land” and “slide,” both of which have Germanic origins. The compound “landslide” developed in English during the 18th century, while “landslip” became an established variant with a similar meaning. The present-participle form “landsliding” follows the ordinary English pattern of adding -ing to a verb.
Related word forms
How landsliding is actually used
The figurative sense is usually used for a rapid decline that is unmistakable and difficult to reverse. As an adjective, it commonly appears directly before a noun, as in “landsliding defeat,” and normally does not take a hyphen.