1
as in death
something that is the cause of one's ultimate failure or loss of life
an insatiable love of money would be their downfall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
the gradual downfall of the Roman Empire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in demise
a loss of status
an ill-advised speech that proved to be the cause of the candidate's downfall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in rain
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity
we ducked under an overhang to shelter ourselves from the sudden downfall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downfall
Karen’s downfall is documented in 4K for all to see.
—
Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
Legendary Italian auteur Marco Bellocchio (The Traitor, Kidnapped) directed and co-wrote the six-episode series, which tells the story of the downfall and imprisonment of popular TV host Enzo Tortora, an innocent man.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
Two teams that stand to benefit from Penn State’s downfall, Michigan and USC, square off Saturday night at the Coliseum.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Turnovers have been the team’s downfall.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
Legendary Italian auteur Marco Bellocchio (The Traitor, Kidnapped) directed and co-wrote the six-episode series, which tells the story of the downfall and imprisonment of popular TV host Enzo Tortora, an innocent man.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
Two teams that stand to benefit from Penn State’s downfall, Michigan and USC, square off Saturday night at the Coliseum.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Turnovers have been the team’s downfall.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
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Christopher Scholtes, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of intentional child abuse likely to cause death or serious physical injury in the July 9, 2024 death of his 2-year-old daughter, according to the Pima County Attorney's Office.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
23 Oct. 2025
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Of course, deportation or removal from the United States isn’t the same as death; Rubio’s unilateral visa revocation isn’t the same as the proscription.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The sharp deterioration in air quality this week comes following celebrations for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, which traditionally involves the widespread use of firecrackers which release sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides into the air, as well as harmful heavy metals.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
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This isn’t to say writer and director Mary Bronstein’s film, about the agonizing deterioration of a woman whose life is falling down around her in near-apocalyptic fashion, isn’t worth watching.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Jonathan even orchestrates the circumstances of his own death, following Alison’s suggestion before her accidental demise.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
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Was the team’s demise about money?—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Rockies and Plains could see light snow, while Texas could see fair conditions, followed by rain, according to the forecast.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Haiti’s Office of Civil Protection said flooding of the Saint Martin River caused by heavy rains also destroyed a bridge in Saint Suzanne in the northeast region of Haiti.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Israeli officials say Hamas could hand over six more bodies immediately out of the 15 still believed in Gaza, though some remains may be impossible to recover amid widespread destruction.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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Amid the destruction of war and the uncertainty of a ceasefire barely a week old, Palestinians in Gaza now face a stark reality.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In her article, Jane reminds us that meat consumption is responsible for animal suffering and environmental degradation.—
Lisa Wade,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
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Overall, the most prevalent cause of bird population declines is habitat loss and degradation, driven especially by agricultural expansion and intensification and logging, the IUCN said.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Gia Hinman had three hurries and three pass deflections for the Eagles, two of which came on fourth downs.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
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The Lemonheads had its ups and downs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The chairman claimed his words had been taken out of context, but his comments were splashed across the back of the newspapers and caused a storm of controversy.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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These storms can also damage key technological infrastructure, such as by interfering with the flow of electricity in the power grid and causing transformers to overheat and fail.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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