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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of downfall
With many of these creatures that feast on dead animals struggling to survive, scientists say their downfall could lead to a rise in infectious diseases among humans, according to a paper published Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
—
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025
Convenient food is the downfall of many health regimens.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 June 2025
While there’s no telling what the next two films might have in store for her character, knowing the traditionalism of ritualism of the village, there is perhaps some allusion to Arthur’s sister Morgana, who became his downfall.
—Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025
But Dehghani speculated that such a move would probably expand the war and end in Khamenei’s downfall, as a rival faction would then be motivated to seize the reins and seek peace with the United States.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025
Convenient food is the downfall of many health regimens.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 June 2025
While there’s no telling what the next two films might have in store for her character, knowing the traditionalism of ritualism of the village, there is perhaps some allusion to Arthur’s sister Morgana, who became his downfall.
—Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025
But Dehghani speculated that such a move would probably expand the war and end in Khamenei’s downfall, as a rival faction would then be motivated to seize the reins and seek peace with the United States.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
-
In the first half of this season, two major league pitchers — Boston’s Liam Hendriks and Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. — received anonymous death threats on social media and denounced them.—
Maria Torres,
New York Times,
15 July 2025
-
His wife's manner of death has been listed as a homicide.—
Cameron Knight,
The Enquirer,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
With deterioration continuing, a 2014 study recommended the entire span be replaced.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
-
Corrosion is one of the leading causes of conventional RC infrastructure deterioration, often requiring extensive repairs and maintenance.—
Carol Cain,
Freep.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
Just months after Saint Archer’s demise, though, Japanese brewing behemoth Sapporo bought the county’s largest brewery, Stone.—
Peter Rowe,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2025
-
Despite Cordelia Chase’s unfortunate demise in the Buffy spinoff Angel, Charisma Carpenter is game to revive the character in the upcoming Buffy reboot.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Angela Trafton's granddaughter was attending camp when rain began pouring during the night.—
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán,
NPR,
5 July 2025
-
The National Guard was deployed in Texas to respond after heavy rain on Friday morning caused the Guadalupe River to rise nearly 30 feet in 45 minutes.—
Rachel Wolf , Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
July 6, 2025: A large scale of destruction in Georgetown, downed trees show the aftermath of raging floodwaters in the South San Gabriel River.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
-
There remain concerns that more rain in the coming days could cause additional destruction.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
In 2023, the U.S. Geological Survey reported that projected coral reef degradation in Florida could increase the coastal flood risk to more than 7,300 people at the cost of $823.6 million annually.—
Rafe Pomerance,
Sun Sentinel,
6 July 2025
-
The administration cited the degradation of the current FBI complex as a reason for the move.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
Trump has previously threatened to cut federal contracts and subsidies to Musk’s various businesses, which include SpaceX and Tesla (Tesla’s stock often tracks the ups and downs of Musk’s political fortunes), and has even mused about potentially having Musk deported.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
-
Girls centered around four women living in New York City during their 20s, charting the ups and downs of their personal and professional lives.—
Carson Blackwelder,
People.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Try to unplug unnecessary appliances before the storms approach.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 July 2025
-
The conditions that led to this disaster - intense moisture in the atmosphere from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry and slow-moving storm systems, meeting specific geography of steep terrain and lack of vegetation - are textbook examples of how a warming world amplifies risk.—
María Mendiluce,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share