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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of downfall
Despite his warning, lead poisoning may have contributed to the downfall of the Roman Empire through the use of lead in wine, bowls, cups, and cosmetics.
—
Tom Frieden, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
Starring Boszhardt, Gershon, Adrian Enscoe (Dickinson), Chelsea Gilligan (Star-Crossed), and Madison Lewis (Alexander IRL), the film chronicles the downfall of the once-powerful Wendolyn family.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
And then another downfall just before the seventh-inning stretch.
—Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Related Stories Although set in the present day, the series draws inspiration from New York City’s dark past — specifically the downfall and eventual closure of the influential gastropub, the Spotted Pig.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Tom Frieden, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
Starring Boszhardt, Gershon, Adrian Enscoe (Dickinson), Chelsea Gilligan (Star-Crossed), and Madison Lewis (Alexander IRL), the film chronicles the downfall of the once-powerful Wendolyn family.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
And then another downfall just before the seventh-inning stretch.
—Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Related Stories Although set in the present day, the series draws inspiration from New York City’s dark past — specifically the downfall and eventual closure of the influential gastropub, the Spotted Pig.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
-
The pedestrian’s death marks Kansas City’s 52nd traffic fatality of 2025, compared to 73 fatalities at the time last year, Becchina said.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Soon after Kirk’s death, supporters of the 31-year-old conservative activist began to grapple, publicly, with conflicting narratives about his stance on Israel.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Americans have this year grappled with elevated inflation, as well as a deterioration of the job market and a broader weakening of the nation’s economic outlook.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The median age of survival since 1970 is 29 years and, while there is no cure and physical deterioration is inevitable, advancements in care have lengthened life expectancy.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tuhkuri’s research includes letters from crew who described the ship’s sad demise.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
7 Oct. 2025
-
But has science truly learned enough to declare what the nature of our ultimate cosmic demise will be?—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The game did not kick off until after a 2-hour weather delay because of nearby lightning strikes and started with sheets of rain, which played right into the Hornets’ hands.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
12 Oct. 2025
-
What to do in the rain on the road?—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Aghion and Howitt studied the mechanisms behind sustained growth, including in a 1992 article that offered a complex mathematical model for creative destruction that added new aspects not included in earlier models.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Still, through the summer of 2020, stories of statue destruction emerged from all corners of the country.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Backcountry recreationalist may experience a rapid degradation in weather conditions, and should be prepared for winter conditions.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Past research in the Arctic has identified tens of thousands of methane seeps -- many of them linked to climate change impacts and the degradation of cryospheric caps, such as glacial ice, permafrost and gas hydrates, the authors said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Unfortunately, had a PI called on the third-down.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Oct. 2025
-
In the last eight seasons, Reid has never attempted three fourth downs in the first half of a game.—
Sam McDowell
October 13,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The seemingly low-risk, high-reward form of gambling has taken the sports betting world by storm.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Follow our coverage of the latest rain totals, forecasts and alerts as storms move through the state.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share