Synonyms of debacles

debacles

noun

variants also débâcles

plural of debacle

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

• disasters
• catastrophes
• tragedies
• apocalypses
• calamities
• accidents
• collapses
• crashes
• fatalities
• cataclysms
• upheavals
• casualties
• bloodbaths
• meltdowns
• misfortunes
• misadventures
• convulsions
• mishaps
• blows
• end-times
• doomsdays
• Armageddons
• paroxysms
• mischances
• double whammies
• blasts
• one-twos

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• windfalls
• godsends
• mannas

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

• disasters
• failures
• disappointments
• catastrophes
• fiascoes
• bombs
• losers
• busts
• shipwrecks
• flops
• washouts
• frosts
• misses
• duds
• lemons
• messes
• clinkers
• bummers
• clunkers
• turkeys
• fizzles
• dogs
• shambles
• botches
• hashes
• has-beens
• near misses
• also-rans
• muddles
• nonevents
• nonstarters

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• successes
• hits
• winners
• blockbusters
• phenomena
• smashes
• dandies
• corkers
• crackerjacks
• jim-dandies

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of debacles

There were, for example, a few state-level permitting debacles, with New Mexico rejecting SunZia’s initial transmission route in 2018. — Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026

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

Plus, through water, hot temperatures, and other kitchen debacles, the Overseas has remained in perfect condition. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026

But its name betrays a critical second function, which is to provide the type of tire-biting traction that can rescue you from one of the more frustrating debacles of off-road travel. — New Atlas, 1 Oct. 2026

Otherwise, the Democrats’ showing in the campaign has amounted to a pileup of debacles. — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026

The one tiny potential upside of the populist movement was its apparent reluctance to plunge the nation into foreign debacles. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026

From shocking district alignments to puzzling travel debacles, many coaches were left shaking their heads in disbelief. — Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026

Several similar debacles have plagued the team over the last six years, but this one may just take the cake. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026