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
Even as she has been sidelined, Noem has remained the majordomo of the debacle.
—
Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Directed by Spike Jonze — marking his first Super Bowl commercial in more than two decades — the ad stars actor, director and filmmaker Ben Stiller alongside multi-platinum artist Benson Boone as an retro European disco-pop duo whose partnership unravels in a mid-performance debacle.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
The presidential couple, who have been jailed separately for months, suffered a spectacular fall from grace after Yoon’s martial law debacle in December 2024 led to his impeachment and eventually his removal from office.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Some two decades after the debacle of Iraq, the subjective preferences of metropolitan journalism are more widely exposed and, as the implosion of the Washington Post illustrates, the owners of media organs are revealed to be aggressively self-interested.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Directed by Spike Jonze — marking his first Super Bowl commercial in more than two decades — the ad stars actor, director and filmmaker Ben Stiller alongside multi-platinum artist Benson Boone as an retro European disco-pop duo whose partnership unravels in a mid-performance debacle.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
The presidential couple, who have been jailed separately for months, suffered a spectacular fall from grace after Yoon’s martial law debacle in December 2024 led to his impeachment and eventually his removal from office.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Some two decades after the debacle of Iraq, the subjective preferences of metropolitan journalism are more widely exposed and, as the implosion of the Washington Post illustrates, the owners of media organs are revealed to be aggressively self-interested.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
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The club would mark the anniversary before the game closest to the disaster.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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The two were at odds over the press conferences that were held to update the public on the disaster and on efforts to reopen the burn area to traffic.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Republicans argue the region’s frustrations reflect years of structural failures under Cooper’s disaster management system, stretching back to earlier storms.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Feb. 2026
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Advocates say overcrowding is at the center of many of the jail's ongoing problems, from maintenance failures to safety concerns, and argue that recent flooding highlights deeper, long-standing issues.—
La'Tasha Givens,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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After the Chapek fiasco and increasing investor scrutiny on corporate governance issues (of which CEO succession planning is paramount), Disney’s board had little margin for error this time around.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
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There are also times — like in Usher’s roller skating fiasco — when talent might want extra time to rehearse certain moments of the show.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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America can't look away from celebrity tragedy Crime relating to celebrities and public figures always becomes a huge news story in the United States, all the way back (at least) to the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh's baby in 1932.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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Maxim Naumov Figure skater Maxim Naumov will make his first appearance at the Olympics after a year marked by tragedy and an emotional comeback.—
Aliza Chasan,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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While the ice apocalypse has wrapped up, dangerously cold air still has a grip on Texas.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
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Created in 1947, the Doomsday Clock was created to convey threats to humanity and the Earth using the imagery of apocalypse (midnight) and the contemporary idiom of nuclear explosion (countdown to zero).—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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