variants
also débâcles
1
as in disasters
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in failures
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
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Recent Examples of debacles
Those debacles not only angered voters but showed to the bond markets that Labour would struggle to shore up Britain’s public finances.
—
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Japan is also looking at political uncertainty as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to step down, following electoral debacles that saw the ruling Liberal Democratic Party lose its majority in both the lower and upper houses of parliament.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
Property tax debacles Legislators and other panelists were split on how the recall could affect ongoing discourse around property tax valuations in Jackson County.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025
After two playoff debacles, a track record of poor play against quality teams during his tenure and a season of disappointment in 2024, the coach must direct his team toward a strong rebound this week against the New England Patriots.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
But overall, history provides numerous examples of politicians, especially in autocracies, who can survive military debacles.
—John Mueller, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2022
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Japan is also looking at political uncertainty as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to step down, following electoral debacles that saw the ruling Liberal Democratic Party lose its majority in both the lower and upper houses of parliament.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
Property tax debacles Legislators and other panelists were split on how the recall could affect ongoing discourse around property tax valuations in Jackson County.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025
After two playoff debacles, a track record of poor play against quality teams during his tenure and a season of disappointment in 2024, the coach must direct his team toward a strong rebound this week against the New England Patriots.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
But overall, history provides numerous examples of politicians, especially in autocracies, who can survive military debacles.
—John Mueller, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacles
Noun
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The Corps website highlights the group's involvement in response to flooding and hurricane disasters in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida, as well as rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires this year.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
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Researchers expect millions of Americans to relocate from properties facing increasing risks of flood, fire and other kinds of disasters in the years ahead.—
Debolina Banerjee,
The Conversation,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The parties' successes or failures at the top of the ticket are likely to impact down-ballot races.—
Margaret Barthel,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
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Pratt, who along with Heidi and other property owners has sued the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for its infrastructure failures, offers many grievances.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The vibes in Fayetteville are horrendous, and consecutive late-game catastrophes against Ole Miss and Memphis weren’t even the worst part.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
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The season 8 finale saw Bobby's family, friends, and colleagues healing in the aftermath, but the impact of his passing will no doubt color the catastrophes awaiting our heroes.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Wanderers, three-time A-League Grand Final losers but AFC Champions League winners in 2014, are still smarting after being knocked out of last season’s Finals series by eventual finalists Melbourne Victory.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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The losers in Ole Miss-Georgia and Tennessee-Alabama will still have multiple opportunities for massive resume wins later this year, regardless of what happens this weekend.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The cycle marches on, unaware of, though not untouched by, the joys and the tragedies of the human realm.—
Grace Edquist,
Vogue,
15 Oct. 2025
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The tragedies witnessed over the past two years must serve as an urgent reminder that future generations deserve better than the failures of the past.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But that same flavor keeps us from buying all the way in after his Giant disappointments.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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Making a change at manager would have been one of the only dramatic moved the team could make after back-to-back playoff disappointments.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The piling on of hurdles, unforeseen challenges, and calamities is almost ridiculous.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
7 Oct. 2025
-
In the episode, eight of the nine ringers suffer calamities on the eve of the game which preclude their participation, with Sax held on comically-unfounded suspicion of committing approximately 600 murders in the New York City area.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debacles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacles. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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