variants
also débâcle
1
as in disaster
a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction
the financial debacle that was the stock market crash of 1929
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loser
something that has failed
the movie, which some had predicted would be a blockbuster, turned out to be the summer's biggest debacle at the multiplexes
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 debacle
That debacle angered conservatives and failed to tamp down conspiracy theories around Epstein's case.
—
Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
And would the debacle bring change to a jail that had seemingly failed to turn the page on the city’s long-struggling lockups?
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 17 June 2025
Following that debacle, Devers was then asked to play first base — a new position — when Triston Casas ruptured his patellar tendon in May.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 June 2025
Inside the ‘Dragon Age’ debacle that gutted EA’s BioWare Studio.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
And would the debacle bring change to a jail that had seemingly failed to turn the page on the city’s long-struggling lockups?
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 17 June 2025
Following that debacle, Devers was then asked to play first base — a new position — when Triston Casas ruptured his patellar tendon in May.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 June 2025
Inside the ‘Dragon Age’ debacle that gutted EA’s BioWare Studio.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
-
In any disaster, responding quickly can help save people and salve the harm.—
Zoë Schlanger,
The Atlantic,
15 July 2025
-
But there are some disasters that even the most equipped people can’t possibly prepare for.—
Jessica Pishko,
New Yorker,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
But just like the dollars that will stay in many taxpayers' pockets and add $3.8 trillion to the national debt, there are large sums for industry packed into the 870-page law, making several winners and losers.—
Jim Sergent,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
-
For investors, developers, and tenants, the message is clear: The forthcoming shakeout from America’s return to office will create distinct winners and losers, with the South leading the way into recovery.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
The changes address failures uncovered a year ago by the ProPublica/CBS News investigation.—
Cassandra Jaramillo,
ProPublica,
12 July 2025
-
Ford is recalling over 850,000 vehicles due to a potential low-pressure fuel pump failure, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
While most Americans celebrated Independence Day, a tragedy unfolded in Central Texas.—
The Editors,
National Review,
7 July 2025
-
For past campers, the tragedy turned happy memories into grief.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Kelly on Friday said the attorney general needs to leave, adding the Trump administration needs to choose between Bondi or Bongino over the Epstein files fiasco.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
12 July 2025
-
Please stop the madness and return to the layout used prior to this fiasco.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
This approach came of age following the ecological calamity of the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and remains the planet’s most successful conservation approach.—
Chris Dorsey,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Promises to be full of dry banter in the face of historical upheaval and emotional calamity, which is my favorite Alameddine mode.—
Literary Hub
July 1,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share