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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of debacle
During this time, Molly is also trying some new medications that cause vaginal dryness, which results in the hilarious visual of a Costco-size lube pump appearing in her bed during the clasp debacle.
—
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
The high-profile debacle came to a head inside a Dominican courtroom, as Riibe sat alongside his father and a translator while lawyers argued over the conditions of Riibe’s hotel room detainment.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Ticketmaster later faced questions from Congress over the debacle.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
The show returned from a two-week hiatus and dove into the debacle in which top leaders in the Trump administration used the Signal app to discuss military moves against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
The high-profile debacle came to a head inside a Dominican courtroom, as Riibe sat alongside his father and a translator while lawyers argued over the conditions of Riibe’s hotel room detainment.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Ticketmaster later faced questions from Congress over the debacle.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
The show returned from a two-week hiatus and dove into the debacle in which top leaders in the Trump administration used the Signal app to discuss military moves against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
-
After severe storms hit the state in mid-March, Sanders applied for disaster relief through FEMA, under what's known as a major disaster declaration.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The march happened after more disasters caused by climate change and pollution impacted the country.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The losers Shares of U.S. carriers have been battered by Trump's tariffs and softening travel demand, with the S&P 1500 airlines index .SPCOMAIR losing nearly a third of its value since January 20.—
Shashwat Chauhan and Medha Singh,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Some position groups and players already on the roster benefited more than others from Morgan’s decisions, which The Athletic breaks down with a look at the winners, losers and those still to be determined after the draft.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The current situation—where the market irrationally rewards the very leadership causing Tesla's decline—represents the ultimate failure of capitalism's self-correcting mechanisms.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
-
The study describes how private businesses lack the financial incentive to fund basic and applied scientific research and development and how government agencies like the NIH and NSF ameliorate the market failure.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Holland was attempting a routine landing when the tragedy occurred, and was not performing any stunts, Boggs said.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
While King's career has been fruitful, she's also experienced tragedy in her personal life.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The emergency was the latest in a years-long series of fiascoes within L.A. County’s juvenile halls — all of which have unfolded under the watchful eye of the California attorney general’s office.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
-
After much discussion of specific supply chain fiascos and real-world defenses, the panel concluded that AI technology is now part of the software supply chain, no different from the popular open-source libraries that, according to one panelist, make up 90% of most programs.—
Neil J. Rubenking,
PC Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Residents of the region have long sought resolutions and recourse to this toxic calamity, especially after the EPA’s risk assessment tools underscored the links between nearby chemical exposure and poor health outcomes.—
Henna Hundal,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Take your pick which Signal group chat calamity is worse for the Trump administration.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share