downfall

noun

down·​fall ˈdau̇n-ˌfȯl 

1

a

: a sudden fall (as from power)

b

: a fall (as of snow or rain) especially when sudden or heavy

2

: something that causes a downfall (as of a person)

gambling was his downfall

downfallen

ˈdau̇n-ˌfȯ-lən 

adjective

Synonyms

• death
• destruction
• ruin
• ruination
• undoing

Examples of downfall in a Sentence

Their downfall was the result of several bad decisions.

Bad decision-making was their downfall.

Recent Examples on the Web

Not only did Lee participate in the USSR’s downfall. —Matthew Continetti, National Review, 21 Dec. 2024

The pandemic and related delays on film releases, as well as shutdown of theaters were also listed as causes for Rectangle Productions’ downfall. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024

Lauded by the ancient Greeks, hubris is the devastating, dangerous and of course exciting characteristic which often led to the hero’s downfall. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024

Assad's sudden downfall raised the Tice family's hopes that the missing journalist might be in Mt. Qasioun prison, which is under a military museum and has a hidden tunnel that has not been fully explored. —Keir Simmons, NBC News, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

downfall

noun

down·​fall ˈdau̇n-ˌfȯl 

1

: fall sense 2c

especially : a sudden or heavy fall (as of rain)

2

: a fall (as from power, happiness, or high position) or a cause of such a fall

downfallen

-ˌfȯ-lən 

adjective