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 of downfall

• death
• destruction
• undoing
• ruination
• curse
• kiss of death
• ruin

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

The sentences cap a stunning downfall for the brothers, particularly Tal and Oren, who rose to prominence as luxury real estate brokers handling multimillion-dollar properties and catering to wealthy clients. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Vucic’s downfall mirrors that of Hungary’s Orban There are strong parallels with Hungary, where strongman Viktor Orbán was defeated earlier this year. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Now playing in theaters, Clayface stars Harries as rising actor Matt Hagen, who suffers gruesome wounds after the brutal mafioso Szabo (Dencik) cuts up his face, resulting in the downfall of his career. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026

Which feels perfectly symbolic of, well, the downfall of the team Mahomes captains. — Sam McDowell 19, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for downfall

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale

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