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
Martin began his major-league career at the beginning of the downfall of the Rick Hahn rebuild, then missed the 2023 season and most of 2024 recovering from Tommy John surgery, making last year his first full season as a starter.
—
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
That reputation, court insiders say, might have led to its downfall.
—Olga R. Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
This masterful drama retells the chain of events that led to the downfall of President Richard Nixon through the vantage point of the journalists who broke the story.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 23 May 2026
That reputation, court insiders say, might have led to its downfall.
—ABC News, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
That reputation, court insiders say, might have led to its downfall.
—Olga R. Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
This masterful drama retells the chain of events that led to the downfall of President Richard Nixon through the vantage point of the journalists who broke the story.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 23 May 2026
That reputation, court insiders say, might have led to its downfall.
—ABC News, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
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Chapman’s cousin, Donte Harrison, confirmed the actor’s death on social media.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
-
When the squad reported back to Kirkby five days after his death, the training complex was a scene of utter devastation.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Once that protective layer is compromised, even minor openings can lead to ongoing water intrusion that causes leaks, wood damage, microbial growth and structural deterioration over time.—
David Nye,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
-
Membrane degradation, electrolyte deterioration and unnecessary stress on the electrolysis system all reduce asset value over time.—
Gregory Shahnovsky,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
But this drone was designed to fly in the open air, and never got a chance to venture into the lava tubes before ultimately meeting its demise in 2024.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
25 May 2026
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However, his demise has set-up a situation that could pull Maddy into Rue’s storyline just as the young drug mule turned strip club manager has discovered Alamo makes girls disappear.—
Sabrina Reed,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Noun
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Two months later, at what was supposed to be the exclamation point to this 20-date tour in Washington, DC, they were baptized by rain.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
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This includes light-weight pants, a rain jacket, moisture-wicking underwear, long-sleeve shirts and extra socks.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
May 28,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Pratt did not deny the report and responded on X by blaming city leadership for the wildfire destruction.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
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The Pope also used his letter to issue the strongest papal condemnation of anti-migrant politics in years, sharply criticize modern capitalism and suggest climate destruction is a moral crime against the poor.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Noun
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The car looks stable in slow-speed corners, efficient on straights and unusually gentle on tire degradation — exactly the combination needed to dominate modern Formula 1.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
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The question, experts say, is whether officials can somehow deal with the dangerous chemicals in a way that does not end in a blast or the type of spill that causes environmental degradation.—
Sean Greene,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
Noun
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The robots, nicknamed Bob, Jim, and Rose by online viewers, used onboard cameras and AI reasoning to detect barcodes, pick up packages, and place them, barcode-face-down, onto conveyor belts.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
25 May 2026
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The tale of the tape measure behind Grant’s greatness is the down-to-the inch precision of her preparation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
Noun
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When Stagg’s calculations lead him to conclude that an almighty storm is set to break on June 5, 1944 — the day originally earmarked for the Normandy landings — after a long period of balmy calm, potentially scuppering the entire vast project, his simple but urgent advice is to wait a day.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 May 2026
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This is accepted standard practice in the region, but the baterias often overflow during storms, sending water rich in heavy metals into the streams that feed the Caqueta river.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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