downfall

noun

ˈdau̇n-ˌfȯl How to pronounce downfall (audio)
Definition of downfallnext
1
as in death
something that is the cause of one's ultimate failure or loss of life an insatiable love of money would be their downfall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level the gradual downfall of the Roman Empire

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in demise
a loss of status an ill-advised speech that proved to be the cause of the candidate's downfall

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4
as in rain
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity we ducked under an overhang to shelter ourselves from the sudden downfall

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 downfall Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes has been approved to move to a halfway house next year, ABC News reported, years after her stunning downfall that culminated in a conviction for defrauding investors while running her failed blood testing startup. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026 Failing to recognize that flaw has been the downfall of emperors and autocrats. — Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 The absence of a broader reckoning following Combs’ downfall becomes less surprising in light of this culture. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026 The Bills defense, one of the downfalls, did get the stop needed in this one and held off a late scoring drive. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
  1. death
  2. deterioration
  3. demise
  4. rain
  5. destruction
  6. degradation
  7. down
  8. storm
Noun
  • The University of Iowa in March estimated by the end of 2026 there will be 21,700 new cancer diagnoses in the state and 6,400 new cancer deaths.
    — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Each of the six main suspects get their chance to give their version of events on the day of Jodie’s death, effectively supplying their own alibis.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of death
Noun
  • The study showed buildings with uneven floors and deterioration in utility corridors for heating, cooling and plumbing lines.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The dispute comes amid a broader deterioration in Israel's relations with several European governments.
    — Dov Lieber, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of deterioration
Noun
  • In a conversation with THR, Sloyan dissects playing Margaret, the character’s dark path, surprise reveal, her demise and her pitch for a Margaret prequel.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026
  • All of us owe the foursome a thanks for hastening the demise of the old Latino political machines that birthed them and kept the city stuck in tribalism for too long.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of demise
Noun
  • However, a wall of wind shear is expected to slightly destabilize the storm just before landfall — slowing its wind speeds to 100 mph and broadening the system, spreading the high winds and heavy rains even further from the core of the storm.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Isaias’ bands could drench Florida’s Panhandle and Big Bend with as much as 15 inches of rain, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory.
    — Robin Webb, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of rain
Noun
  • Although television coverage suggested the capital had escaped the widespread structural destruction visible in communities closer to the epicenter, the earthquake caused major disruptions to daily life.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In the heady satire about elites causing worldwide climate destruction, Cruise plays the titular Digger Rockwell, an out-of-touch oil tycoon.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of destruction
Noun
  • Since optical switches aren’t subject to the same amount of degradation as traditional mechanical switches, the representative argued, users won’t need to swap them over time.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026
  • There are also practical questions around battery degradation, consumer compensation, privacy, and who gets to control an asset in someone’s home.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of degradation
Noun
  • The Rainbow Warriors reached Arizona State's 21 on their next drive — with the help of ASU's three 15-yard penalties — but turned the ball over on downs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Willis at times has shown an aversion for check-downs and instead has attempted riskier or unwise throws, something that happened multiple times in Sunday’s 31-24 loss to Cincinnati.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of down
Noun
  • Simon has weakened to a Category 2 storm, its eye remaining just offshore as its most powerful winds and rain slammed communities between the Sierra Madre and the ocean and were forecast to persist off the coast of Puerto Vallarta.
    — JAIMIE DING, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Typically, when embroiled in these sorts of escalating back-and-forths, Larry’s go-to move was the quit-and-storm-off.
    — Blake J. Harris, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of storm

Browse Nearby Words

downers
downfall
downfalls
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Cite this Entry

“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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