variants
also débâcle
1
as in disaster
a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction
the financial debacle that was the stock market crash of 1929
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loser
something that has failed
the movie, which some had predicted would be a blockbuster, turned out to be the summer's biggest debacle at the multiplexes
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 debacle
And so there is a real chance that lawmakers will prioritize funding this debacle over safety-net programs that help many poor Californians.
—
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
That debacle highlighted what happens when queerbaiting goes awry.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
The argument was that the US financial crisis triggered an economic debacle south of the border, destabilizing the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 26 Aug. 2025
But he’s consumed by anger over the museum debacle and its fallout, crushing his self-worth and making a mockery of the male ambition wired into his DNA.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
That debacle highlighted what happens when queerbaiting goes awry.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
The argument was that the US financial crisis triggered an economic debacle south of the border, destabilizing the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 26 Aug. 2025
But he’s consumed by anger over the museum debacle and its fallout, crushing his self-worth and making a mockery of the male ambition wired into his DNA.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
-
Recently published studies about people affected by the Maui and Los Angeles fires showed that beyond affecting heart and lung function and interrupting access to medical care, these climate disasters have led to higher rates of depression and even suicide.—
Lahari Vuppaladhadiam,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
As someone who evacuated but was still directly impacted by the storm, Shepard used her lived experience to influence her research on colonial disasters.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
During the competition, the losers are executed and the lone survivor is declared the winner.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
-
But one this unique and anticipated deserved its own breakdown of winners and losers.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In May 2018, one of the funicular’s cars derailed due to a serious maintenance failure of its wheels, although the car did not overturn and no one was injured, according to Público, a Portuguese daily national newspaper.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
-
An incident report submitted to the state by Energy Transfer attributed the pipeline failure to a technician’s errors.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Watts said the child welfare agency also will maintain collaboration with public health officials, law enforcement and treatment providers to prevent tragedies connected to fentanyl and other drugs.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Here is the emphasis on the hardscrabble beginnings and obstacles to be overcome, here is the recognition of a truly raw but once-in-a-lifetime talent that converts the nonbelivers, here are the early wins and the training montages and the tragedies and the comebacks.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Cracker Barrel fiasco is a classic that business schools will study for decades.—
Jess Collen,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
-
But the oil field fiasco underscores the challenges China faces in achieving its goals.—
Anthony Kuhn,
NPR,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Many iPhones, Pixel, and Galaxy devices are water-resistant and can survive exposure to liquid (yes, even beer) without calamity.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Season 2 will likely follow the fallout of that decision and all the calamities that will no doubt arise from it.—
Lucy Ford,
Time,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share