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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of downfall
This year’s most viral moments haven’t been about romance, but about public downfalls.
—
Cynthia Salinas Cappellano, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
My team has been covering Combs' career, influence and downfall in depth for nearly two years, beginning when the Entertainment team's Senior News Editor Anika Reed interviewed Combs as he was bestowed a key to New York City.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 10 July 2025
Her goal is clear: to drive a wedge between Lorenzo and his family and bring about his downfall.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 31 July 2025
The bill's downfall prompted outrage from state GOP leaders and celebration from the proposal’s opponents.
—Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Cynthia Salinas Cappellano, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
My team has been covering Combs' career, influence and downfall in depth for nearly two years, beginning when the Entertainment team's Senior News Editor Anika Reed interviewed Combs as he was bestowed a key to New York City.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 10 July 2025
Her goal is clear: to drive a wedge between Lorenzo and his family and bring about his downfall.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 31 July 2025
The bill's downfall prompted outrage from state GOP leaders and celebration from the proposal’s opponents.
—Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
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Police said Ali, now 62, was initially charged with Campbell's murder at the time of her death but the charges were dropped months later.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
After mourners left thousands of tributes to the late heavy metal legend on Black Sabbath Bridge in Ozzy’s native Birmingham, England following his death from a heart attack on July 22 at age 76, those flowers and keepsakes have been preserved and cataloged for posterity.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
By diplomatic standards, the deterioration has been abrupt.—
Andreas Kluth,
Mercury News,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Other economists — such as those at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Citigroup Inc. and UBS Group AG — interpreted the rapid deterioration in hiring more as a sign of weak labor demand, which would push the Fed to commence with rate reductions at its next policy meeting in September.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Claire’s first filed for bankruptcy back in 2018, blaming similar larger economic factors for its demise.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
6 Aug. 2025
-
So, while rumors of its demise aren’t true, the show’s survival does underscore a bigger question: As federal dollars disappear, how many other programs (especially those without Tiny Desk’s global fanbase) will be able to weather the storm?—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The episode ends with Tyler transformed, Laurel fatally wounded and Wednesday thrown from a window, left unconscious in the rain as the Hyde vanishes.—
Jane LaCroix,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Sweltering heat, a hint of rain and a stormy weekend could all be in the cards for the Kansas City area this week, according to the National Weather Service.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The man, a Mexican national, pleaded not guilty to assaulting a federal officer, assaulting a federal officer resulting in bodily injury and destruction of government property, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
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According to the sprawling 109-page indictment, the suspects conspired to prevent the construction of an 85-acre Atlanta police training center by coordinating and carrying out acts of political violence, intimidation, and property destruction.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The degradation of individual and societal health spirals downward while the most powerful controllers of the medical and pharmaceutical industries thrive.—
David Marks,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Aug. 2025
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The degradation and genocide of Indigenous Americans on the mainland is widely known.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In an appearance on Angie Martinez’s IRL podcast, Clarkson opened up about the ups and downs of co-parenting.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
13 Aug. 2025
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Despite being a small customer, Crawford Denim has provided consistent business to its U.S. factory partners for 12 years, even during the ups and downs of Covid.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Viktor Hovland shot a 3-under par 67 on Thursday to take the clubhouse lead before the storm.—
Bennett Conlin,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Aug. 2025
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Protruding coastal areas, including parts of Long Island, face a higher risk of storm conditions by the middle of next week than much of the northern New England coasts.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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