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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
the gradual downfall of the Roman Empire
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 downfall
The Fall of Diddy echoes earlier #MeToo-era TV treatments of entertainment industry titans whose abuse of seeming indomitable power left a trail of emotional, physical and career devastation before their own downfalls.
—
Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Explore Jagged Edge Joey Bada$$ See latest videos, charts and news
As Diddy remains behind bars awaiting the start of his trial, Hollywood has already started peeling back the layers on his downfall.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2025
Astonishingly, the film, made just one year after Citizen Kane, remains, despite the tampering, one of the greatest Hollywood movies ever made, a ruthless portrait of an intractable, tradition-minded young man named George Amberson Minafer, whose vice grip on his family leads to its downfall.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2025
The sentence capped the extraordinary downfall of a once-powerful lawmaker.
—Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for downfall 
Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Explore Jagged Edge Joey Bada$$ See latest videos, charts and news
As Diddy remains behind bars awaiting the start of his trial, Hollywood has already started peeling back the layers on his downfall.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2025
Astonishingly, the film, made just one year after Citizen Kane, remains, despite the tampering, one of the greatest Hollywood movies ever made, a ruthless portrait of an intractable, tradition-minded young man named George Amberson Minafer, whose vice grip on his family leads to its downfall.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2025
The sentence capped the extraordinary downfall of a once-powerful lawmaker.
—Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
-
An autopsy suggested that strychnine was the probable cause of death.—
Mara Bovsun,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2025
-
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the inmate’s name and cause of death.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
His environmental project launched the Institute’s research via an extensive study of the relationship between business practices and environmental deterioration.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Shot over five tumultuous years, the film traces Noam’s journey in tandem with the region’s steady deterioration.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Locklear also cited the demise of Kristin Davis’s Brooke Armstrong as another standout moment.—
John Russell,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
-
What grown men forced this sweet mare to do was an unnatural activity that triggered her demise.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The rain will turn to showers on Friday, decreasing that afternoon.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Friday night’s low is expected to be 26, and Saturday is predicted to have a 30% chance of rain and snow.—
Matt Hubbard,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Because mutually assured destruction has already occurred.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Feb. 2025
-
The epic destruction that surrounds the Villa today adds an unnerving element to the exhibition’s art historical context.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The degradation of batteries is a challenge that bedevils all sorts of electronics.—
Asher Price,
Axios,
7 Feb. 2025
-
However, over time and age, exposure to the sun and other environmental factors, heat styling, and chemical treatment can deplete the volume in the hair through degradation and damage.—
Molly Peck,
USA TODAY,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
While his reputation has seen ups and downs, Irving remains one of the most electrifying guards in the game.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Remind yourself that every relationship has its ups and downs and that perfection is an illusion.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Trump this month proposed the US taking ownership of Gaza and moving Palestinians out of the devastated strip permanently, triggering a storm of protest.—
Jennifer Hansler,
CNN,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Many parts of Tennessee and Kentucky are projected to receive 4-8 inches of rain from the storm.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near downfall
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share