variants
also débâcle
1
as in disaster
a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction
the financial debacle that was the stock market crash of 1929
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loser
something that has failed
the movie, which some had predicted would be a blockbuster, turned out to be the summer's biggest debacle at the multiplexes
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debacle
For iPhone: Coming Next Week, A New Era For The iPhone
Champions League final debacle a bitter blow for Inter
His forecast proved prescient, as Inter returned to the final this season, a year after winning a 20th league title in style, the sixth major trophy under Inzaghi.
—
Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
However, the Canucks seem to want to give Pettersson — another lefty, by the way — another chance to right the ship next season with Adam Foote now running the bench and the Miller debacle fully in the rearview mirror.
—Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Making his first appearance since that May 12 debacle, Houck looked much better.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025
Reforms often follow major debacles: for example, near the end of the Vietnam War, Congress enacted, over President Richard Nixon’s veto, the War Powers Resolution, which limited how long the president could deploy troops without congressional authorization.
—Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
However, the Canucks seem to want to give Pettersson — another lefty, by the way — another chance to right the ship next season with Adam Foote now running the bench and the Miller debacle fully in the rearview mirror.
—Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Making his first appearance since that May 12 debacle, Houck looked much better.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025
Reforms often follow major debacles: for example, near the end of the Vietnam War, Congress enacted, over President Richard Nixon’s veto, the War Powers Resolution, which limited how long the president could deploy troops without congressional authorization.
—Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
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As someone takes on roles that have elements of power associated with it, that can be a recipe for disaster.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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The toxic combination led rebel Republican Sen. Thom Tillis to denounce it as a political disaster.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2025
Noun
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But just like the dollars that will stay in many taxpayers' pockets and add $3.8 trillion to the national debt, there are large sums for industry packed into the 870-page law, making several winners and losers.—
Jim Sergent,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
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For investors, developers, and tenants, the message is clear: The forthcoming shakeout from America’s return to office will create distinct winners and losers, with the South leading the way into recovery.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Noun
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One clear failure that was identified in the numerous reviews that have taken place since the shooting was a lack of accountability surrounding who was in charge that day.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
12 July 2025
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The changes address failures uncovered a year ago by the ProPublica/CBS News investigation.—
Cassandra Jaramillo,
ProPublica,
12 July 2025
Noun
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While most Americans celebrated Independence Day, a tragedy unfolded in Central Texas.—
The Editors,
National Review,
7 July 2025
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For past campers, the tragedy turned happy memories into grief.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 July 2025
Noun
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Word of the fiasco (and all the gory details) soon hit the media.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
25 June 2025
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The fiscal fiasco was built on the hallucinatory claim that California enjoyed a $97.5 billion surplus.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 June 2025
Noun
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This approach came of age following the ecological calamity of the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and remains the planet’s most successful conservation approach.—
Chris Dorsey,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Promises to be full of dry banter in the face of historical upheaval and emotional calamity, which is my favorite Alameddine mode.—
Literary Hub
July 1,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
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