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 failure
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
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Recent Examples of debacle
Who needs a mild anti-monarchist outburst, given the far thornier international debacle on the BAFTAs stage?
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Trader Joe's said on the settlement website that no one had reported identity theft from the receipt debacle.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
The trial brought Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino to the witness stand, where he was questioned about matters including the company’s Taylor Swift ticket debacle in 2022.
—Larry Neumeister, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026
Mason’s guess is that the future of the Canucks front office may not be settled precisely at the end of the season, when Rutherford meets with the media to debrief on a season that has been nothing short of a debacle.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Trader Joe's said on the settlement website that no one had reported identity theft from the receipt debacle.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
The trial brought Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino to the witness stand, where he was questioned about matters including the company’s Taylor Swift ticket debacle in 2022.
—Larry Neumeister, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026
Mason’s guess is that the future of the Canucks front office may not be settled precisely at the end of the season, when Rutherford meets with the media to debrief on a season that has been nothing short of a debacle.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
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The Chernobyl disaster is the worst nuclear power plant accident ever in terms of death toll and cost.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Satellite connectivity can act as a backup during disasters like hurricanes or wildfires.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The driver was arrested for operating while impaired and failure to stop and identify at a personal injury crash.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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More recently, fans trying to buy tickets for major tours, like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, BTS, Bruce Springsteen, and Harry Styles have faced sky-high prices, system failures, and a lack of real alternatives.—
Letitia James,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But that holds about as much promise as Elon Musk’s fiscal fiasco — remember DOGE?—
Jackie Calmes,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2026
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Man’s folly of fiascos is a feast for the flies.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As investigators struggle to piece together a motive for such a senseless tragedy, multiple family members told CNN Elkins had previously struggled with his mental health.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
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The tragedy in Louisiana is one of the nation's deadliest mass shootings in recent years.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the context of extreme space weather, some individuals or groups may interpret such an event as an impending apocalypse.—
Ryan French,
Space.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The SaaS apocalypse, in his telling, is not hype.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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