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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of debacle
This was the Oscars with the La La Land/Moonlight Best Picture debacle, which understandably obliterates memories of any other part of the ceremony.
—
Zach Schonfeld, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
In the grit and sweat of the city’s work, a charter might prevent debacles such as the city’s giveaway of its parking meters, or even the midnight destruction of Meigs Field.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Several Democratic senators, including Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), have attempted to use the debacle to illustrate a lack of Republican control over national security.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2025
Read: Conan O’Brien keeps it old-school O’Brien followed that debacle by launching a new late-night program on TBS—simply titled Conan—and has since wound things down a little more gracefully.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Zach Schonfeld, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
In the grit and sweat of the city’s work, a charter might prevent debacles such as the city’s giveaway of its parking meters, or even the midnight destruction of Meigs Field.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Several Democratic senators, including Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), have attempted to use the debacle to illustrate a lack of Republican control over national security.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2025
Read: Conan O’Brien keeps it old-school O’Brien followed that debacle by launching a new late-night program on TBS—simply titled Conan—and has since wound things down a little more gracefully.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
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Last month, the EU Commission urged its 450 million citizens to stockpile enough food, water and essentials for 72 hours in the event of emergencies like cyberattacks, climate disasters, disease and also geopolitical conflicts.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
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The disaster led to passage of the Federal Coal Mine and Safety Act, which in turn added the miners' surveillance program under the respiratory health division at NIOSH.—
Yuki Noguchi,
NPR,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The loser of Friday’s game in Atlanta enters the offseason.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
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The winner will then play the loser of Tuesday’s No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchup, and whoever wins that game will become the East’s No. 8 seed and face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But in reality, every success is built on a failure.—
Omaid Homayun,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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These setbacks highlight the inherent risks of space operations, where even minor failures can cost hundreds of millions and set timelines back by months or years.—
Jackie Snow,
Quartz,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Instagram comment sections are flooded with hearts and flowers; the media memorializes a tragedy.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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These events devastate local communities not just as the tragedy unfolds but in its aftermath.—
Shoshi Parks,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The 101 Ash Street fiasco and the 25% wage increase given to city workers a few years ago both led to this mess.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
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The review and a federal investigation into the fiasco both opened and closed without criminal charges against Proctor.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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How to sear into a reader’s brain the profound calamity of a dozen savage killings?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Trump spoke before the worldwide stock market calamity finally got to him.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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