variants
also débâcles
1
as in disasters
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 failures
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacles
Noun
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Some BDCs are dividend machines, others are disasters.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025 -
Some contend mythologising such events does a disservice to those who lost their lives in maritime disasters.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Every moment the Senate waits to confirm Antoni to overhaul the systemic failures of the BLS is one that risks the stability of global finance and American wealth.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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The high-profile bank failures of 2023—including Signature Bank and Silicon Valley Bank—triggered a contraction in CRE lending, particularly among regional banks.—
Andrew DeNardo,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Families that embrace this mindset see setbacks not as catastrophes but as tuition.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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The story grabbed him thematically too, given the increasing devastation caused by wildfires and other environmental catastrophes.—
Tomris Laffly,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As the probe unfolded, Kelly Dever was one of several low-rent Canton losers who couldn’t keep their stories straight when questioned by the feds.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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The houseguests then voted between the two comp losers, and when Julie announced the results, Will was evicted by a vote of 3-2 and became the season’s second jury member.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The flag has been ordered to half-staff following major tragedies, such as the September 11 Attacks and the 2012 Newtown school shooting.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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But anyone who responds to preventable tragedies like this—tragedies that over time begin to erode the very fabric of our country—by refusing to face the problem of gun violence and crime head-on is missing the point.—
Gabby Giffords,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Using her own romantic disappointments as a guide, Denise advises him to grieve by accepting the loss and forgiving the people who hurt him.—
Sara Netzley,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Sep. 2025
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The Athletic’s tennis team, Matthew Futterman, Charlie Eccleshare and James Hansen, present their takeaways from the final Grand Slam of 2025, from the best shots and funniest moments to the biggest disappointments and the most incredible matches.—
The Athletic Tennis Staff,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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If these calamities unfold, the revenue projections, total costs and net transfer balances will be a little lower, too, with the cumulative cashflow balance being higher, at £161million by the summer of 2028.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
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Levine Cava bristled, saying the only money left to fund the choppers would be the county’s emergency fund — dollars reserved for hurricanes or other calamities.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Debacles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacles. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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