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
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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
The foreshadowing of their downfall is more interesting than anything else Porsha is bringing to the show in what was supposed to be her triumphant return.
—
Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2025
Of course, Lynn was as responsible for the White Sox’s downfall as much as any other player, posting a 6.47 ERA in 2023 and helping to create an unhealthy clubhouse culture.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
The campaign ultimately led to the downfall of Bo Xilai, once a prominent contender for the Communist Party leadership.
—Wenxin Fan, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025
On Wednesday evening, Emery returns to Paris, in the competition which ultimately caused his downfall at the Parc des Princes.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2025
Of course, Lynn was as responsible for the White Sox’s downfall as much as any other player, posting a 6.47 ERA in 2023 and helping to create an unhealthy clubhouse culture.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
The campaign ultimately led to the downfall of Bo Xilai, once a prominent contender for the Communist Party leadership.
—Wenxin Fan, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025
On Wednesday evening, Emery returns to Paris, in the competition which ultimately caused his downfall at the Parc des Princes.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
-
For Pope Francis, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the church camerlengo, or cardinal chamberlain (the official that manages the household of the pope), presided over the certification of death and the placement of the body in a coffin.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The city Medical Examiner’s office is conducting autopsies to determine the mother and son’s causes of death.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Submersible visits over the years have shown an increase in its deterioration, with rust and microorganisms eating away at the ship's metal. Dives over more than a decade have shown the ship is falling apart.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2025
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That could mean that rate cuts are pushed off until much later this year or even delayed until next year if that deterioration takes time to materialize.—
Colby Smith,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The 1982 film Missing, directed by Costa-Gavras, brought global attention to the case and implied U.S. involvement in Horman’s demise.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The current season of Sister Wives is showing how the Brown family continues to navigate life after the demise of their once-happy polygamous brood.—
Dory Jackson,
People.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Pots will flood when the rain can't drain out and drown the roots.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2025
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About 5,000 residents who evacuated have since been allowed to return home, while authorities predict the fire will keep spreading until the area gets a soaking rain.—
Jenna Calderón,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Faced with the raging wars of recent years, with their inhuman horrors and countless deaths and destruction, Pope Francis incessantly raised his voice imploring peace and calling for reason and honest negotiation to find possible solutions.—
ABC NEWS,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2025
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From hurricanes to wildfires, the U.S. has endured 403 billion-dollar climate and weather disasters since 1980—leaving behind a trail of destruction that’s cost the country more than $2.9 trillion.—
Mindy Lubber,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Beyond infrastructure strain, our information environment also shows signs of degradation.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2025
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All penguins face threats created by climate change, overfishing, pollution, and habitat degradation.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The sets had their ups and downs: some of the improvisations were gorgeous, but the more composed elements felt messy.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Haven’t had some of the emotional ups and downs that at times have plagued him earlier in his career.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Hail and damaging winds are the primary threats with these storms, along with a low tornado threat.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
-
To the south, near the equator and the sun’s azimuth, low-pressure zones create frequent storms.—
Christophe Lavaysse,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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