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
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
Fielder and Stone’s dark comedy showcases the downfall of an HGTV-esque couple after being cursed, while Powell and Sweeney’s film, out Dec. 22, is a rom-com.
—
Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2023
Unraveling through multiple timelines, Nolan’s film depicts Oppenheimer’s efforts to harness atomic power, his complex relationships with two women and his ultimate downfall as an activist in the decades after the bombing of Hiroshima.
—Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Nov. 2023
Further Reading The spectacular downfall of a common, useless cold medicine
The move by CVS comes after an advisory panel for the Food and Drug Administration last month voted unanimously that the common decongestant, phenylephrine, is ineffective at treating a stuffy nose.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 24 Oct. 2023
That version included a longer list of substances, which was likely its downfall.
—Celia Ford, WIRED, 9 Oct. 2023
His downfall came when he was convicted for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 4 Nov. 2023
The downfall of Odey Asset Management follows a Financial Times article in June, which said 13 women had accused the hedge-fund founder of abusing or harassing them between 1998 and 2021.
—Caitlin McCabe, WSJ, 31 Oct. 2023
Qin disappeared from view in June, sparking rumors about a possible extramarital affair having led to his downfall.
—Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2023
Unlike Un Verano, which was about being in love and summers in Puerto Rico, Nadie Sabe is about the downfalls, the wins, the life lessons.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2023
See More
Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2023
Unraveling through multiple timelines, Nolan’s film depicts Oppenheimer’s efforts to harness atomic power, his complex relationships with two women and his ultimate downfall as an activist in the decades after the bombing of Hiroshima.
—Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Nov. 2023
Further Reading The spectacular downfall of a common, useless cold medicine
The move by CVS comes after an advisory panel for the Food and Drug Administration last month voted unanimously that the common decongestant, phenylephrine, is ineffective at treating a stuffy nose.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 24 Oct. 2023
That version included a longer list of substances, which was likely its downfall.
—Celia Ford, WIRED, 9 Oct. 2023
His downfall came when he was convicted for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 4 Nov. 2023
The downfall of Odey Asset Management follows a Financial Times article in June, which said 13 women had accused the hedge-fund founder of abusing or harassing them between 1998 and 2021.
—Caitlin McCabe, WSJ, 31 Oct. 2023
Qin disappeared from view in June, sparking rumors about a possible extramarital affair having led to his downfall.
—Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2023
Unlike Un Verano, which was about being in love and summers in Puerto Rico, Nadie Sabe is about the downfalls, the wins, the life lessons.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'downfall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of downfall was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near downfall
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downfall. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on downfall
Nglish: Translation of downfall for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of downfall for Arabic Speakers
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