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
Martin began his major-league career at the beginning of the downfall of the Rick Hahn rebuild, then missed the 2023 season and most of 2024 recovering from Tommy John surgery, making last year his first full season as a starter.
—
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
That reputation, court insiders say, might have led to its downfall.
—Olga R. Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
This masterful drama retells the chain of events that led to the downfall of President Richard Nixon through the vantage point of the journalists who broke the story.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 23 May 2026
That reputation, court insiders say, might have led to its downfall.
—ABC News, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
That reputation, court insiders say, might have led to its downfall.
—Olga R. Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
This masterful drama retells the chain of events that led to the downfall of President Richard Nixon through the vantage point of the journalists who broke the story.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 23 May 2026
That reputation, court insiders say, might have led to its downfall.
—ABC News, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
-
Chapman’s cousin, Donte Harrison, confirmed the actor’s death on social media.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
-
When the squad reported back to Kirkby five days after his death, the training complex was a scene of utter devastation.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Once that protective layer is compromised, even minor openings can lead to ongoing water intrusion that causes leaks, wood damage, microbial growth and structural deterioration over time.—
David Nye,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
-
Membrane degradation, electrolyte deterioration and unnecessary stress on the electrolysis system all reduce asset value over time.—
Gregory Shahnovsky,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
The news of Stargate‘s demise was first reported by Variety.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
-
Surely the demise of America’s most strident ideological foe, ten years after the humiliations of the Iranian hostage crisis, called for greater attention?—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Two months later, at what was supposed to be the exclamation point to this 20-date tour in Washington, DC, they were baptized by rain.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
This includes light-weight pants, a rain jacket, moisture-wicking underwear, long-sleeve shirts and extra socks.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
May 28,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
She was arrested at a hotel near the barn and booked at the Clark County Juvenile Hall on 12 counts of animal cruelty, including intentionally aiming or torturing a horse, as well as three counts of malicious destruction of property.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
-
The teen, who was at a nearby hotel, was taken into custody and booked for 12 counts of willful/malicious kill/maim/torture animal -- horse and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property over $5,000, police said.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
This collection of poems—Orr’s thirteenth—bears bitter witness to environmental degradation, moral corruption, and the aging of a body and of a generation, all viewed from a bird’s eye, wrapped in the language and tone of myth.—
Craig Morgan Teicher,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
And a 2024 study found that a larger-than-expected proportion of physicians are leaving after fulfilling their service obligations, citing pay disparity, administrative burden, and clinical skill degradation as key drivers.—
Allison DeAngelis,
STAT,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
An officer performed a pat-down and found a gun concealed on the driver's body.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
-
And the company’s CEO, Sebastian Siemiatkowski, has doubled-down on this broader workforce shift—even if his peers won’t be honest about it.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
December to March is technically rainy season but storms typically happen once per day.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Variety spoke with Hollywood producers, filmmakers, distributors and YouTube executives about this sea change and the young rebels taking Hollywood by storm.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
