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
One of the downfalls Oklahoma City had last year was production from the supporting cast.
—
Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
The downfall wasn’t immediate, however, as Louise—like many of Joe’s love interests—wrestled with her own romantic feelings for him before coming to the realization about who Joe really was.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 24 Apr. 2025
Benitez’s election as pope amid the downfall of his brethren reflects the reality of human complexity — there could never have been a candidate for supreme pontiff without flaws.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
The downfall of popular influencers Austin McBroom and now ex-wife Catherine often comes to mind as a prime example of how clout often clouds the better judgment of many creatives.
—Solo Ceesay, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
The downfall wasn’t immediate, however, as Louise—like many of Joe’s love interests—wrestled with her own romantic feelings for him before coming to the realization about who Joe really was.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 24 Apr. 2025
Benitez’s election as pope amid the downfall of his brethren reflects the reality of human complexity — there could never have been a candidate for supreme pontiff without flaws.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
The downfall of popular influencers Austin McBroom and now ex-wife Catherine often comes to mind as a prime example of how clout often clouds the better judgment of many creatives.
—Solo Ceesay, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downfall. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share