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
After her public downfall in 2016, Swift rehabilitated her image in part by leaning into politics.
—
Constance Grady, Vox, 12 Sep. 2024
This includes telemarketing scams targeting senior citizens, an arsonist setting fire to the city of Boston, the Italian Mafia’s downfall over olive oil and the escapades of a rare book thief.
—Peter White, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2024
As a crown of fire erupts at his head, signaling Zozobra’s flaming downfall, the celebration ends in victory and renewal.
—Heather Mundt, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Aug. 2024
Members of minority communities faced at least 205 attacks in 52 districts since Hasina’s downfall, according to data compiled by Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council.
—Arun Devnath / Bloomberg, TIME, 12 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for downfall 
Constance Grady, Vox, 12 Sep. 2024
This includes telemarketing scams targeting senior citizens, an arsonist setting fire to the city of Boston, the Italian Mafia’s downfall over olive oil and the escapades of a rare book thief.
—Peter White, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2024
As a crown of fire erupts at his head, signaling Zozobra’s flaming downfall, the celebration ends in victory and renewal.
—Heather Mundt, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Aug. 2024
Members of minority communities faced at least 205 attacks in 52 districts since Hasina’s downfall, according to data compiled by Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council.
—Arun Devnath / Bloomberg, TIME, 12 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for downfall
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'downfall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near downfall
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downfall. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
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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