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
Have a mimosa and toast to the downfall of crappy men in music!
—
Emma Specter, Vogue, 30 May 2025
Coming from the company of her ex-boyfriend, who had broken off all contact with her after her downfall, the demands of repayment contributed to the mental state that resulted in Kim Sae-ron’s death, according to her family.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
The controversy is the centerpiece of Netflix’s new documentary, UNTOLD: The Fall of Favre, which follows the former NFL quarterback’s public downfall and begins streaming May 20.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 20 May 2025
Lineker saw the good in projecting his political views to a social media following that ran into the millions but the posts ultimately became his downfall.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
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Emma Specter, Vogue, 30 May 2025
Coming from the company of her ex-boyfriend, who had broken off all contact with her after her downfall, the demands of repayment contributed to the mental state that resulted in Kim Sae-ron’s death, according to her family.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
The controversy is the centerpiece of Netflix’s new documentary, UNTOLD: The Fall of Favre, which follows the former NFL quarterback’s public downfall and begins streaming May 20.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 20 May 2025
Lineker saw the good in projecting his political views to a social media following that ran into the millions but the posts ultimately became his downfall.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 May 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 4 Jun. 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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