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

• 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

My downfall was rooted in my selfishness. —Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025

My downfall was rooted in my selfishness. —Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025

Despite his warning, lead poisoning may have contributed to the downfall of the Roman Empire through the use of lead in wine, bowls, cups, and cosmetics. —Tom Frieden, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025

Starring Boszhardt, Gershon, Adrian Enscoe (Dickinson), Chelsea Gilligan (Star-Crossed), and Madison Lewis (Alexander IRL), the film chronicles the downfall of the once-powerful Wendolyn family. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Sep. 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