1
as in death
something that is the cause of one's ultimate failure or loss of life
an insatiable love of money would be their downfall
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
the gradual downfall of the Roman Empire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in demise
a loss of status
an ill-advised speech that proved to be the cause of the candidate's downfall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in rain
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity
we ducked under an overhang to shelter ourselves from the sudden downfall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of downfall
The safety of 23andMe's dataset has drawn considerable concern among consumers, lawmakers, and regulators amid the company's downfall.
—
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025
While from an emotional standpoint, falling in the NFL draft was likely hard on Sanders, the real downfall of being drafted much later than expected is the loss of money.
—Seth Quinn, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
As a result, the Germans were caught off guard when Allied forces invaded Sicily, which helped further Benito Mussolini’s downfall and was considered a major turning point in World War II.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 15 May 2025
What looks like productivity is often the downfall of those who refuse to delegate.
—Charles Fallon, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025
While from an emotional standpoint, falling in the NFL draft was likely hard on Sanders, the real downfall of being drafted much later than expected is the loss of money.
—Seth Quinn, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
As a result, the Germans were caught off guard when Allied forces invaded Sicily, which helped further Benito Mussolini’s downfall and was considered a major turning point in World War II.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 15 May 2025
What looks like productivity is often the downfall of those who refuse to delegate.
—Charles Fallon, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
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There’s no music, either, to soften or ennoble proceedings, only the indifferent murmur of weather over the startling debris of human conflict, or the slow creak of a galleon on lapping waters as sailors are sent cruelly to their deaths.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
28 May 2025
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Nearly three months after 19-year-old twin brothers were found dead atop a mountain in northern Georgia, authorities have ruled their deaths a double suicide.—
Melissa Noel,
Essence,
28 May 2025
Noun
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Sulzberger writes passionately about the existential threats facing a free press, from economic collapse to political intimidation, and how journalism must stand as a bulwark in a time of profound civic deterioration.—
Jessica Sibley,
Time,
19 May 2025
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Dan Wang Eurasia The 90-day tariff reduction and break does not guarantee a deal, especially given the deterioration of mutual trust between the U.S. and China, said Natixis’ senior economist Gary Ng.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
13 May 2025
Noun
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Republicans might also remember that the 1798 restrictions on free speech/press played an important role in the election of President Jefferson and the effective demise of the Federalist Party.—
John A. Ragosta,
Baltimore Sun,
27 May 2025
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While some may still resist the demise of relatable Season 1 Shauna, both Lynskey and Nélisse relish the chance to explore her descent further as Showtime’s just renewed the series for Season 4.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
27 May 2025
Noun
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In fact, the rain actually bought Hardin some time after his escape, according to Champion.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
-
In Baltimore, the Red Sox held a 3-2 lead over the last-place Orioles when an 86-minute rain delay interrupted the proceedings during the seventh-inning stretch.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
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What makes that even scarier is that Florida’s road record — an .800 win percentage matched by only 17 other teams in the modern era — actually undersells the destruction.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
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Specialists in contemporary conflicts were interested in studying the building before its destruction because of its former use as military barracks, according to a May 28 news release from the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Violence, corruption and environmental degradation have saturated the avocado trade there, causing the U.S. to briefly stop imports and senators to agitate for action by the federal government.—
Daniel Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
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These trade shifts are causing environmental degradation.—
Simi Thambi,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Even after the ups and downs of his seven-year run, in which the Leafs have gone 2-7 in playoff series, Tavares enters this summer hoping to earn another contract here.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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He has been married to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star since 2020 and the two have had their ups and downs over the years.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
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In the original film, Lilo reveals to Stitch that her parents died in a car accident during a storm.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Flooding is likely, especially for rivers already at elevated levels due to storms earlier this week.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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