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

downfallen

ˈdau̇n-ˌfȯ-lən 

adjective

Synonyms

• death
• destruction
• ruin
• ruination
• undoing

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

Some of the men whose downfalls were celebrated during the height of the #MeToo movement have been welcomed back with open arms. —Julie Roginsky, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2024

Presley remarried and, using IVF, had twin daughters at 40 — which, oddly, marked the beginning of a long downfall. —Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2024

Centuries later, a devastating earthquake in 363 C.E. caused significant damage, hastening the city’s downfall. —Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024

That moment, as well as her complicated legacy intertwined with the rise of televangelism and the downfall of her former husband and their television empire, led John and Furnish to option the rights to turn her story into a West End show and now a Broadway musical. —Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids 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

downfallen

-ˌfȯ-lən 

adjective