Synonyms of downfall

downfall

noun

ˈdau̇n-ˌfȯl 

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

• death
• destruction
• undoing
• ruination
• curse
• kiss of death
• ruin
• bane
• torment
• tragic flaw
• Achilles' heel

2

as in deterioration

a change to a lower state or level

the gradual downfall of the Roman Empire

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deterioration
• degradation
• decline
• declination
• descent
• decadence
• destruction
• fall
• eclipse
• decrease
• ebb
• degeneration
• degeneracy
• devolution
• downgrade
• reduction
• declension
• dissolution
• decay
• dégringolade
• drop
• disintegration
• loss
• breakup
• decomposition
• crumbling
• sunset
• dark age
• spoiling
• dip
• slump
• nadir
• ruination
• rotting
• debasement
• ruin
• depreciation
• havoc
• demolition
• decimation
• shrinkage
• diminution
• downturn
• lowering
• abasement
• lessening
• deflation
• diminishment
• sag
• falloff
• downslide
• demolishment
• slip
• desolation
• downtrend
• abatement
• decrement
• drop-off
• de-escalation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• development
• growth
• evolution
• ascent
• advancement
• upswing
• flowering
• restoration
• renewal
• increase
• revitalization
• addition
• enhancement
• gain
• blossoming
• flourishing
• augmentation
• boost
• increment
• raise
• supplement
• accrual
• accretion
• heightening
• addendum

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

• demise
• down
• setback
• decline
• disappointment
• fall
• collapse
• defeat
• reversal
• comedown
• flameout
• undoing
• breakdown
• dégringolade
• descent
• Götterdämmerung
• crash
• humiliation
• ruin
• meltdown
• burnout
• disgrace
• nadir
• abasement
• bottom

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• up
• progress
• ascent
• advance
• exaltation
• aggrandizement
• headway
• flower
• prime
• heyday

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

• rain
• storm
• rainfall
• downpour
• rainstorm
• deluge
• wet
• precipitation
• cloudburst
• weather
• thunderstorm
• shower
• thundershower

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mist
• spit
• drizzle
• sprinkle
• scud
• mizzle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of downfall

After taking the throne, King Edward (Steven Waddington) installs his lover Piers Gaveston (Andrew Tiernan) and rejects Queen Isabella (Tilda Swinton) who sets in motion his downfall. — Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026

Thematic methodologies have been one of the downfalls of contemporary museology (and art history) generally, a crisis of collective memory and the historical imagination overall. — George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

But his meteoric ascent is followed by an equally spectacular downfall as addiction, paranoia, law enforcement, and his deteriorating relationship with Colombian drug lord Alejandro Sosa (Paul Shenar) begin closing in around him. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026

Hong's past social media comments over canceling Thanksgiving may have played a role in her downfall. — Emily R. Condon, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026