debacle

noun

dē-ˈbä-kəl How to pronounce debacle (audio)
variants also débâcle
Definition of debaclenext
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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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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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 Plus, through water, hot temperatures, and other kitchen debacles, the Overseas has remained in perfect condition. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026 But Erie court administrator Robert Catalde said the debacle spurred the county to double lawyers’ pay to $46,800 and provide benefits. — Samantha Melamed, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2026 Fourth-quarter woes Sunday’s fourth-quarter debacle against the Broncos was nothing new for the Chargers, who are 30th in scoring this season. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026 There were forgettable performances against the Titans, Jets, Chiefs, Chargers and Raiders, the latter a Thursday night debacle where the Broncos had more penalties (11) than points (10). — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
  1. disaster
  2. failure
  3. catastrophe
  4. fiasco
  5. tragedy
  6. apocalypse
Noun
  • Spain’s second high-speed rail disaster this year, in which one train struck another from behind, killing 69 people, has raised fresh concerns about the safety of the country’s rail network ahead of a national election.
    — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The new rail disaster can't help the prospects of his Socialist party.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of disaster
Noun
  • Even if Theranos had a functioning testing machine, the economic model on which is was based would result in failure.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Even among voters who want Republicans to retain control, 17% cited weak AI and data center oversight — second only to a failure to bring down prices.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • Since Benson and her co-authors met in Oviedo, weather catastrophes have multiplied, oceans have acidified and the amount of carbon in the atmosphere has soared.
    — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • But this latest catastrophe could clip the wings of any comeback.
    — Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of catastrophe
Noun
  • The essay convinced me that Woodward stopped being a journalist after his great work with Carl Bernstein during the Watergate fiasco.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • After a bad debate against challenger Nithya Raman over the summer and the fiasco that was City Hall’s response to the Lineage fire, the incumbent had no other way forward but attack, attack, attack.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of fiasco
Noun
  • But there is an important distinction between reporting a tragedy and allowing that tragedy to define an entire industry.
    — Dennis Speigel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The destruction of South Korea’s memory chip fabs would compound this tragedy and cripple the global economy.
    — Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of tragedy
Noun
  • There are some apocalypses, the song seems to suggest, where no redemptive beauty can be found.
    — Marissa Lorusso, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026
  • As critics have noted, though both Soares and Yudkowsky have spent much time fretting about an AI apocalypse, there’s no consensus that such a future is even possible — let alone probable.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of apocalypse

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Cite this Entry

“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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