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

His lack of participation in tournaments following the event may have been his downfall in his attempt to make the playoffs. — Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

For one, the Tea Party folks weren't trying to bring about the downfall of Western civilization and the United States of America. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

And now, a decade and a half after his downfall and disgrace, Galliano is set to be the focus of a major exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Wrestling with his role in Dez’s downfall does a number on our hero, the ramifications of which are felt throughout Season 2. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 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