downfall

noun

ˈdau̇n-ˌfȯl How to pronounce downfall (audio)
Definition of downfallnext
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

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2
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level the gradual downfall of the Roman Empire

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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

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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

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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 Hitting theaters on March 21, De Niro puts his acting chops to the ultimate test, taking on both roles of Vito and Frank in this epic tale that documents the downfall of the American Mafia. — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025 This toxic combination of hubris and adept manipulation led to the downfall of Theranos and highlights the destructive power of a Dark Empath. — Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Remember when Russia was that pesky geopolitical force who’s own constant secrecy and subterfuge brought about the downfall of its imperial ambitions? — Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 8 Mar. 2025 While the nation has faced hardships, every downfall presents an opportunity for renewal. — Jonel Juste, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
  1. death
  2. deterioration
  3. demise
  4. rain
  5. destruction
  6. degradation
  7. down
  8. storm
Noun
  • Edna Buchanan is the Pulitzer prize-winning crime reporter who covered more than 5,000 violent deaths during her 18-year career at the Miami Herald.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Missouri has the most deaths with 12, followed by Kansas with eight.
    — Robert Shackelford, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of death
Noun
  • Roads and bridges are designed with strict weight limits for a reason: excessive loads accelerate structural deterioration, leading to costly repairs and safety hazards.
    — Ydanis Rodriguez, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to this, using excessive water or harsh chemical cleaners can then lead to moisture accumulation around window seals, which can potentially cause mould growth or deterioration of the frame around the windows.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of deterioration
Noun
  • The duo were intrigued by a movie that could tell not only the Cain and Abel story of two childhood pals turned lethal adversaries, but also the demise of the Mafia's national stranglehold, which began with Costello's famous testimony before a congressional hearing in 1951.
    — Marco della Cava, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
  • And coming shortly after Brexit, Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union, DFID’s demise further called into question Britain’s commitment to global cooperation.
    — Sarah Stroup, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of demise
Noun
  • The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, which studies and tests ways to make homes more resilient, has recommended construction standards based on its research, both for high wind and heavy rains, as well as wildfires.
    — Ron Lieber, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
  • When a local festival is happening or when rain is in the forecast, their AI systems could adjust staffing and stock levels.
    — Claire Vanessa Lim, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of rain
Noun
  • The war at its height displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population and has caused vast destruction across the territory.
    — Ibrahim Hazboun, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Given Björk’s ongoing activism through song, the film will also curate a postapocalyptic utopia, void of environmental destruction.
    — Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of destruction
Noun
  • Overly broad agent objectives introduce performance degradation, making debugging and optimization significantly more challenging.
    — Rick Kelly, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Where everything seems more and more about degradation.
    — Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of degradation
Noun
  • The first episode also highlights the ups and downs of racing.
    — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Listen to this article After a week of the ups and downs of Chicago weather, more snow was a possibility over the weekend, National Weather Service officials said.
    — Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of down
Noun
  • Calm before the storm However, McBride, other analysts and economists on Wednesday expressed caution that the friendly February print may very well be the calm before the storm.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The Bay Area is bracing for yet another major storm as an atmospheric river makes its way through California this week.
    — Nadia Lopez, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of storm

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“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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