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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debacle
The debacle sparked a crisis at the BBC that saw the Director General and news boss exit.
—
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
Setting themselves apart from their opponents on the Interstate 77 toll lane debacle and establishing a reputation as a coalition builder, according to two former City Council members on opposite sides of the aisle.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Five months later, thousands are still waiting for bills and tens of thousands are waiting for refunds, the latest development in the technology upgrade debacle that has roiled the county’s tax system for more than four years with no clear end in sight.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
After Sunday’s debacle, Sturm called out his team’s leaders – and himself.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
Setting themselves apart from their opponents on the Interstate 77 toll lane debacle and establishing a reputation as a coalition builder, according to two former City Council members on opposite sides of the aisle.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Five months later, thousands are still waiting for bills and tens of thousands are waiting for refunds, the latest development in the technology upgrade debacle that has roiled the county’s tax system for more than four years with no clear end in sight.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
After Sunday’s debacle, Sturm called out his team’s leaders – and himself.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
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In the aftermath of the BAFTA Film Awards, the BBC created a new set of protocols, which now need to be unleashed without a hitch as the public broadcaster bids to avoid a repeat of the disaster.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
-
The United Nations estimates that, all told, thousands of people have died or will die as a result of the disaster.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Their bite can lead to rapid respiratory failure and paralysis without prompt medical treatment.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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Doe alleges the school’s failure to act caused long-term emotional and psychological harm that continues today.—
Lexi Nicklaus,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The chicken and beer fiasco in 2011.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Contained within all these fiascoes is a subtly different conservative movement.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There's a gut-punching element of tragedy, too, as Loki kills his real father, Laufey (Colm Feore), then appears to plummet to his own death in the final act.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
6 May 2026
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Years later, tragedy would only deepen the family’s understanding of what nursing and caring mean.—
Nancy Badertscher,
AJC.com,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Ellie and Joel’s trek through the post-apocalypse remains a somber meditation on loss and brutal human nature.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2026
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The movie stars Austin Abrams, who also starred in Weapons, as a courier who unexpectedly finds himself in the midst of what appears to be the outbreak of a zombie apocalypse.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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