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 United States stopped nuclear weapons testing in 1992 following the downfall of the Soviet Union, according to The Associated Press. —Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2025

Thompson; Hoss adds a blaze-of-glory brio to Eileen’s downfall; Thompson; a visual palette that prizes both old-school glamour and pomo maximalism; and Thompson. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025

At the same time, Congress didn’t establish any federal standard for sports betting—an omission that would later contribute to PASPA’s downfall. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2025

Miran’s downfall arrives through a mix of strategy and desperation. —Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 27 Oct. 2025

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