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
Describing an epic Mets loss to the Dodgers at the Polo Grounds, Angell told the story of keeping score during the debacle, with the Dodgers scoring 12 runs between the second and sixth innings.
—
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2025
Property tax debacle White contends that he’s been unfairly scapegoated for county disputes including over federal funding allocations, residential and commercial property valuations and the 2025 budget freeze.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2025
Sports historians believe the debacle may have been the most disgraceful thing ever endured by Cincinnati fans that didn’t involve Pete Rose.
—Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
None of this is unexpected, and Kimmel even joked about the fact that his ratings were likely to go up as a result of the weeklong debacle that came after ABC indefinitely preempted Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2025
Property tax debacle White contends that he’s been unfairly scapegoated for county disputes including over federal funding allocations, residential and commercial property valuations and the 2025 budget freeze.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2025
Sports historians believe the debacle may have been the most disgraceful thing ever endured by Cincinnati fans that didn’t involve Pete Rose.
—Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
None of this is unexpected, and Kimmel even joked about the fact that his ratings were likely to go up as a result of the weeklong debacle that came after ABC indefinitely preempted Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
-
The organization focuses on the big disasters that often grip the headlines, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes – but also offers information about preparing for winter storms, tsunamis, tornados, lightning, hail and extreme heat.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Freeport-McMoRan is likely to rebound from an environmental disaster last month at its giant Grasberg mine in Indonesia that led the copper and gold producer to cut its production estimates, according to UBS.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Sunday’s loser will see its playoff hopes realistically fade to black.—
Greg Cote
October 2,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
-
However, one of the reasons the Red Sox were 4-3 losers to the Yankees is that Cora can’t pull a lever that’ll ensure that his players — such as, oh, Ceddanne Rafaela — deliver a sacrifice bunt in a key situation.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Griffith and CityBeat reporter Madeline Fening are facing charges, including disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, obstructing a highway and obstructing an emergency responder.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Luckily, clever Frances must have understood her caper was destined for failure.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
After the tragedy, Gibson's attorney said the actor had since rehomed his beloved mastiffs.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
-
There are too many stories, too many tragedies, and too many silver linings to properly detail, especially as the national media spotlight has long moved on to the next crisis.—
Garret K. Woodward,
Rolling Stone,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The once-struggling 57-year-old seafood chain had endured an $11 million endless-shrimp fiasco among other mistakes made.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Why an ordinance to sort out vacation fiasco?—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But earlier this month, President Lee Jae-myung told Reuters such requirements would trigger a calamity similar to the one that eventually required an International Monetary Fund bailout.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Parts of the southeastern United States are bracing for the impacts of Tropical Storm Imelda, just one year after Hurricane Helene tore through the region, leaving casualties and calamity in its wake.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share