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
Just as May predicted, sellout crowds have returned to the Crisler Center, which often felt lifeless during last season’s 8-24 debacle.
—
Austin Meek, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
While officials sort out the debacles, the state has temporarily taken over emergency warnings for the county of 10 million people.
—Holly Yan, CNN, 16 Jan. 2025
Pretty weird to see a Yeezy commercial after the red-carpet debacle earlier.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2025
Though this is all in connection to an interview with a newspaper, the debacle showcases the Academy’s ever-adapting approach toward monitoring online Oscar campaigning.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Austin Meek, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
While officials sort out the debacles, the state has temporarily taken over emergency warnings for the county of 10 million people.
—Holly Yan, CNN, 16 Jan. 2025
Pretty weird to see a Yeezy commercial after the red-carpet debacle earlier.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2025
Though this is all in connection to an interview with a newspaper, the debacle showcases the Academy’s ever-adapting approach toward monitoring online Oscar campaigning.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
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Weegee’s pictures of disaster, crime, and urban blight not only grabbed viewers’ attention but highlighted the ways in which passive spectatorship had come to dominate our lives as citizens.—
Naomi Fry,
The New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2025
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The scope of the disaster grew clear as the orchestra began to reconnect.—
Thomas Curwen,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Coaching hire winners and losers: In all, seven teams made leadership changes at the top.—
Jim Reineking,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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No more participation trophies for Bill Plaschke! Los Angeles’ lovable loser nailed it by predicting the Eagles’ big win, ending his losing tradition that envied the Benoit Benjamin Clippers of the 1980s!—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Sensors capture physical parameters – such as temperature, vibration, or fluid flow – and process them locally to detect anomalies, predict equipment failures, and adjust workflows autonomously.—
Peter Bendor-Samuel,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
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This is based partly on experience and partly on the drive failure data that Backblaze has been publishing for years now.—
Scott Gilbertson,
WIRED,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Ahead of the tragedy, Caribbean leaders met with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss the future of the mission amid its uncertain funding.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2025
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The cause of the maritime tragedy remains under investigation.—
Leah Sarnoff,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Further reading on the DOGE savings tracker fiasco.—
Brian Barrett,
WIRED,
20 Feb. 2025
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This turned out to be the real classic between these rivals, not that fiasco of a Winter Classic that was the Hawks’ 6-2 loss on New Year’s Eve at Wrigley Field.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In a region vulnerable to hurricanes and other calamities made worse by a warming climate, reducing the damage would help ease suffering.—
Christopher Flavelle,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
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They were also meant to come to the rescue with their largesse in the case of a public crisis or calamity.—
Brian Klaas,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to debacle
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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