downfall

noun

down·​fall ˈdau̇n-ˌfȯl 

1

a

: a sudden fall (as from power)

b

: a fall (as of snow or rain) especially when sudden or heavy

2

: something that causes a downfall (as of a person)

gambling was his downfall

downfallen

ˈdau̇n-ˌfȯ-lən 

adjective

Synonyms

• death
• destruction
• ruin
• ruination
• undoing

Examples of downfall in a Sentence

Their downfall was the result of several bad decisions.

Bad decision-making was their downfall.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ruby's public downfall began in 2020 when skeptics grew worried about the Mormon family’s strict household. —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024

The final season could have been all about the Last Alliance and the downfall of Sauron. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024

In 1943: Italy declared war on its former Axis partner Germany after the downfall of Benito Mussolini and collapse of his Fascist government. —The Arizona Republic, 12 Oct. 2024

So what led to their downfall and what was the real reason they weren’t included with the fellow Love Is Blind couples? —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

downfall

noun

down·​fall ˈdau̇n-ˌfȯl 

1

: fall sense 2c

especially : a sudden or heavy fall (as of rain)

2

: a fall (as from power, happiness, or high position) or a cause of such a fall

downfallen

-ˌfȯ-lən 

adjective