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

What looks to have caused his downfall was a refusal by smaller racecourse owners — and in particular Arena Racing Company (ARC), whose 16 courses include Chepstow, Newcastle and Wolverhampton — to support the idea of an independent BHA board. —Ian King, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026

The only downfall is the timing. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026

Her character sings, cries and endures a Greek tragedy of a downfall, but instead of being a caricature, Chastain finds the soul of a complex, good-hearted woman. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

The downfall is attributed to a cultural shift during World War I, legal trouble and other financial issues for Lubin, who eventually went bankrupt. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 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