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

Compared to Noriega, Maduro’s downfall happened in fast-forward. —Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 3 Jan. 2026

Demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans calling for the downfall of the ruling clerics and demanding the leadership step aside. —Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025

Or are there other glaring issues now exposed that will be our downfall regardless of them coming back healthy? —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025

Buzz is unlike anything else on the market and that may have been its downfall. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 23 Dec. 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