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
Their downfall has been fouling.
—
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Spectacular downfall Yoon’s decree, the first of its kind in more than 40 years, brought armed troops into Seoul streets to encircle the assembly and enter election offices.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The rise and fall of Urban Communities Outlier pieced together the events that led to Urban Communities’ downfall largely through court records and filings at the Wayne County Register of Deeds.
—Aaron Mondry, Freep.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Demonstrators have been calling for the Iranian regime's downfall and systemic change as a first step to reclaiming freedom and dignity.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downfall
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Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Spectacular downfall Yoon’s decree, the first of its kind in more than 40 years, brought armed troops into Seoul streets to encircle the assembly and enter election offices.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The rise and fall of Urban Communities Outlier pieced together the events that led to Urban Communities’ downfall largely through court records and filings at the Wayne County Register of Deeds.
—Aaron Mondry, Freep.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Demonstrators have been calling for the Iranian regime's downfall and systemic change as a first step to reclaiming freedom and dignity.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
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 Jan. 2026.
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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