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
What followed was a 16-day debacle that left Republicans deeply unpopular—and helped propel a Democrat in the Governor’s Mansion in Virginia, a state where feds and military members are aplenty.
—
Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
The Seahawks started what ended up being their game-winning drive at the 40-yard line after the Cardinals' kickoff debacle in the final minute.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
The Seahawks started what ended up being their game-winning drive at the 40-yard line after the Cardinals' kickoff debacle in the final minute.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
-
The disaster level has officially hit biblical proportions.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
-
There will also be a slight pass given for not having Burrow, but let’s be real, this can’t be an abject disaster.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The first person to stop drinking or vomit was deemed the loser of the challenge, the lawsuit said.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The Oilers, losers of two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, enter the year as a title favorite.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
He has also been charged with following too closely, no registration and failure to exercise due care on Interstate 85 in Jackson County, about 62 miles northeast of Atlanta.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
-
She was charged with reckless driving causing serious impairment of a body function and failure to stop at a scene of accident resulting in serious impairment or death, the prosecutor said.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Her name was Maggie McCabe, a grieving former combat surgeon who had her license revoked after a tragedy.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The duo pushes the concept of illusion versus reality to the extreme, personally and professionally, until tragedy reframes and opens a mystery surrounding their last fateful Las Vegas show.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
After the fiasco at the party, Stacey attempts to make inroads with the group by reconnecting with Wendy first, despite Wendy having led the charge to ask questions about her personal life on the reunion stage.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Before this cost-cutting fiasco, Tesla already was having a rough go of it.—
Patrick George,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And Talanoa Hufanga continued to fly around like a calamity let loose from Pandora's box, adding a key third-down pass-breakup on the Jets' final offensive drive.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
-
In the wake of that calamity, the Sharks overhauled their defense corps and goaltending and brought in some new faces up front.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share