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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debacle
But since that Oval Office debacle, Zelensky had done his Trump homework, too.
—
Tom Nagorski, Time, 18 July 2025
There is no perfect solution for this, but the way production chooses to move forward from this year’s casting debacles will determine the future success of Love Island USA.
—Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 8 July 2025
On the federal side of the budget debacle, the leader of the Michigan Department of Education, schools Superintendent Michael Rice, decried the nearly $160 million withheld from schools in a news release Wednesday, July 2.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
The punishment for this debacle, above, should be straight to jail without passing ‘Go’.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Tom Nagorski, Time, 18 July 2025
There is no perfect solution for this, but the way production chooses to move forward from this year’s casting debacles will determine the future success of Love Island USA.
—Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 8 July 2025
On the federal side of the budget debacle, the leader of the Michigan Department of Education, schools Superintendent Michael Rice, decried the nearly $160 million withheld from schools in a news release Wednesday, July 2.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
The punishment for this debacle, above, should be straight to jail without passing ‘Go’.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
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During times of year when there are fewer weather disasters, the agency receives fewer calls and can choose to spend less money staffing call centers.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
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When a data disaster occurs, many IT professionals and system administrators focus on selecting powerful data recovery software or hiring professional services.—
Chongwei Chen,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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With existing sanctions on Russia and potentially new ones at stake, the eventual outcome of the Trump-Putin summit will create winners and losers in the energy space.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
15 Aug. 2025
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Legislative appropriations committees could — and did — secretly decide which bills would reach the floors of both houses and just announce the winners and losers without explanation.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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They've often been viewed as criminals, or their deportations as a failure.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
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That’s also why sitcoms like The Office or Brooklyn Nine-Nine can handle surprisingly deep topics, including grief, failure and identity, without leaving you feeling drained.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The council additionally issued a two-day state of mourning in response to the tragedy, per a statement shared on Aug. 9.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Kazuo Ishiguro, The Remains of the Day Through the voice of an aging butler, Ishiguro explores dignity, regret, and the quiet tragedies of a life spent serving others.—
Mark Nevins,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The right-wing conspiracy theorist was aghast at Trump’s decision to try to pin blame for the Epstein fiasco on Democrats.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
19 July 2025
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This fiasco competes with the high-speed rail project for the best way to waste taxpayer dollars.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Administration officials are warning of calamity if courts remove the sweeping tariffs President Donald Trump imposed on emergency grounds.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Aug. 2025
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The menace isn’t invisible; rather, simply looking at the mysterious cause of this global calamity drives humans to suicide.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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