1
as in ruins
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 deteriorations
a change to a lower state or level
the gradual downfall of the Roman Empire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in demises
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 rains
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 downfalls
Without Allen and his ability to stretch the field, the Bills' downfalls on defense would likely not have led to a 4-1 record.
—
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Some of those mistakes eventually cause their downfalls.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
The lack of effective clock management was one of the downfalls of the Bears’ last coach, Matt Eberflus.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Some of those mistakes eventually cause their downfalls.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
The lack of effective clock management was one of the downfalls of the Bears’ last coach, Matt Eberflus.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfalls
Noun
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Chreim, 74, finds the names of his grandmother and grandfather among the broken pieces of marble before heading to the ruins of his home.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
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Mogetta said that field work in 2026 and 2027 will reveal more of the ruins.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The mission, the fourth of 2025, would also be Starship's first flight since May 27 amid a year plagued by explosive demises for the vehicle.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
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But a good time in enviable vacation spots is guaranteed, with ghoulish demises for many principal figures here served up like caviar on sashimi.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The country’s mighty rivers and abundant rains mean most of its electricity comes from clean hydroelectric power.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
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But the first full trading week of the month saw stocks caught in November rains.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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To date, the agency has investigated 408 fatal incidents resulting in 454 deaths on Arkansas highways, state police records say.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
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The hurricane has been blamed for 77 deaths, according to the Pan American Health Organization.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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For Parisian Jews in 1941 and 1942, these thefts were compounded by a cascade of other degradations, including the loss of distinguished positions at the Sorbonne, in banking, science, and medicine, with more devastation to come.—
Christopher C. Gorham
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The novel borrows from Englund’s experience, the setbacks and the thrills, and also draws from conversations with Dana Fares, another local professional actress who spent time in Hollywood.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
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Chet Holmgren, the big man who showed his immense value in their title run last season after enduring years of health setbacks, is 23.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But some experts warn that what’s happening in Hatteras could be a glimpse of what’s to come in other coastal areas as climate change fuels more powerful storms and hastens erosion.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Most of these stronger storms will be east of I-65 across south central Kentucky.—
Katie Wiseman,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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With the launch of the Culling Game in the aftermath, 10 colonies from across Japan are transformed into dens of curses as part of a plot orchestrated by the most wicked sorcerer in history, Noritoshi Kamo.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
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Up ahead, two men argued, their shouts and curses drowning out the hum of a helicopter that circled in the distance.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfalls. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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