downfall
noun
down·fall
ˈdau̇n-ˌfȯl 
1
a
: a sudden fall (as from power)
b
: a fall (as of snow or rain) especially when sudden or heavy
2
: something that causes a downfall (as of a person)
gambling was his downfall
Examples of downfall in a Sentence
Their downfall was the result of several bad decisions.
Bad decision-making was their downfall.
Recent Examples on the Web
Some slides did have a 1 hour wait time but that was the only downfall. ...
—
Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
At a time when countless think pieces have been penned about the downfall of original animation, particularly in the light of recent box office flops from major players like Pixar, Applehans says studios should look to broaden their outlook, instead of relying on tired tropes.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 1 July 2025
New Team Rises To Top, Red Sox Dive-Bomb Amid Struggles
Once again, his lack of popularity was his downfall, as the Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt and Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. were chosen over Aranda by way of the fan vote.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Starting pitching has been the Mets’ downfall as of late.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
At a time when countless think pieces have been penned about the downfall of original animation, particularly in the light of recent box office flops from major players like Pixar, Applehans says studios should look to broaden their outlook, instead of relying on tired tropes.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 1 July 2025
New Team Rises To Top, Red Sox Dive-Bomb Amid Struggles
Once again, his lack of popularity was his downfall, as the Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt and Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. were chosen over Aranda by way of the fan vote.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Starting pitching has been the Mets’ downfall as of late.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downfall. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
downfall
noun
down·fall
ˈdau̇n-ˌfȯl
1
: fall sense 2c
especially
: a sudden or heavy fall (as of rain)
2
: a fall (as from power, happiness, or high position) or a cause of such a fall
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