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
Swalwell’s downfall came with stunning speed and reshuffles a governor race filled with contenders but no clear leaders among either the state’s dominant Democrats or Republicans.
—
John Woolfolk, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
The revelations placed Sánchez Arveláiz within the orbit of Lava Jato, the sprawling anti-corruption investigation that reshaped politics across Latin America and led to the downfall of dozens of business and political figures.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
His only solace is the same serum that led to Eli’s downfall, but supply is dwindling.
—Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
From confirmation to downfall During her confirmation hearings, Bondi promised to safeguard the Justice Department’s independence and bolster its transparency.
—Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downfall
John Woolfolk, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
The revelations placed Sánchez Arveláiz within the orbit of Lava Jato, the sprawling anti-corruption investigation that reshaped politics across Latin America and led to the downfall of dozens of business and political figures.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
His only solace is the same serum that led to Eli’s downfall, but supply is dwindling.
—Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
From confirmation to downfall During her confirmation hearings, Bondi promised to safeguard the Justice Department’s independence and bolster its transparency.
—Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
-
Before his death, Mikhail had told sheriff’s deputies that he had been jumped in September by eight gun-wielding individuals, including Elijah, at the YMCA basketball courts near Oak Ridge High School.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Gilbert's remains were found in December 2011 -- her death is later ruled as an accidental drowning.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Still, any miscalculation or direct confrontation at sea could tip the diplomatic posturing into rapid deterioration and risk jeopardizing the fragile stability in the detente between Washington and Beijing.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Toss any berries showing signs of deterioration.—
Jessica Farthing,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Marcos then laughed off rumors of his demise and said he had been diagnosed with diverticulitis.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Crowds also gathered across the street on Indian Creek Drive to see the building’s demise.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The term refers to warmer-than-average waters along the equatorial Pacific that can influence weather across the globe, raising the odds of searing drought in some regions and torrential rain in others.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
East Central Florida is at risk for excessive rain.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The fighting has carved a path of destruction from agricultural towns near the border to Beirut, killing more than 2,000 people and displacing in excess of 1 million others, according to Lebanese authorities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Washington wanted to test if the Iranian command, after seeing the destruction from six weeks of war and the killing of its Supreme Leader, would now bend to its will, experts said.—
Saeed Shah,
Time,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Distractions are a major culprit of this degradation of learning, Horvath previously told Fortune, adding that refocusing attention after it’s been diverted takes time to recover.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Chief among the concerns that needed to be addressed were moisture degradation within the original interior finishes, general leaks and the conservation of doors and windows.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Coleman is compact, sturdy, efficient and dependable on passing downs, both as a receiver and blocker.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
While the wide-leg denim trend is making way for slimmer styles in 2026, most fashion-forward celebs and trendsetters have doubled-down on baggy denim by letting their hems puddle to the ground, as if to viscerally reject any semblance of structure.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The chance for showers and storms slowly returns on Monday and becomes more likely by Tuesday.—
Michael Autovino,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Since 1850, only one storm, Hurricane Audrey in 1957, came close, making landfall in southwest Louisiana during a moderate El Niño.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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