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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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 Notable names in this batch include billionaire Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy and tokenization service Securitize, both of which have been public market flops, but not outright debacles. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026 The notices, the standing ovations, the awards buzz — all of it represents a stunning reversal of fortune for Guadagnino after the Amazon debacle in June. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 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 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
  • The organization provides individuals and families with essential products, including merchandise donated by retailers and manufacturers, to help them through poverty, disaster and other challenging circumstances.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Kim called for a public nonprofit disaster insurance program that would cover wildfire risks for existing homes.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of disaster
Noun
  • Obstacles, wind, sensor errors, or other system failures can prevent it from completing the maneuver safely.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Coach Mikey Varas has spent the past week asking his players to confront their failure to reach the MLS Cup playoffs rather than simply count down the days until the offseason.
    — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • At the time of the last catastrophe, a convulsive shift in media consumption began undermining the value of the legacy distribution scheme, which in turn led to grave uncertainties related to revenue sharing.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The strategy provided insurers with concessions such as the right to charge policyholders for the reinsurance carriers must buy to protect themselves from catastrophes, such as the January 2025 wildfires.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of catastrophe
Noun
  • Mike McDaniel has been a fiasco in his first season, and Herbert looks out of sync and even lost.
    — Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • In the case of the imminent Major League Baseball lockout, even an untrained ear may detect an echo of the 1994 fiasco in this latest impasse between the ownership class and labor.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of fiasco
Noun
  • Across medicine, physicians need support to carry the profound emotional burdens of helping patients and families through tragedy.
    — Robert M. Kinast, STAT, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Many workplaces can identify warning signs early and potentially stop a tragedy while also taking additional steps.
    — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of tragedy
Noun
  • The structure of World War Z lends the material a dreadful credibility, with the prospect of a zombie apocalypse never seeming more plausible.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Nov. 2026
  • There are some apocalypses, the song seems to suggest, where no redemptive beauty can be found.
    — Marissa Lorusso, Pitchfork, 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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