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

That connection greatly contributed to his downfall. —Esteban Campanela, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025

Anderson breezes through monumental shifts from there — Perfidia’s deepening romantic relationship with Pat, her subsequent pregnancy and postpartum depression, the beginnings of a psychosexual dynamic with Lockjaw, the downfall of the French 75, and the splintering of the lives associated with it. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025

But Sacramento’s downfall early was the 3-point shooting disparity. —Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 23 Nov. 2025

Nima’s downfall from a viral video could only happen during the digital age. —Stephen Saito, Variety, 23 Nov. 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