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
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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
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Recent Examples of downfall
The company cited competition from foreign fast-fashion giants, rising costs and evolving consumer trends as reasons for its downfall.
—
Claire Wang, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2025
After analyzing unsolved true crimes leads to massive popularity followed by a controversial downfall, Woo Sang attempts to reclaim his crown by tracking the notorious Hemline Serial Killer in real time — only to discover the killer has been watching his broadcast.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Mar. 2025
The foreshadowing of the inevitable downfall started at the end of the district budget meeting when Ava’s nemesis, Crystal, developed suspicions about why Abbott was in a position to so graciously decline the money.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
However, the video was a turning point in Combs’ downfall.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Claire Wang, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2025
After analyzing unsolved true crimes leads to massive popularity followed by a controversial downfall, Woo Sang attempts to reclaim his crown by tracking the notorious Hemline Serial Killer in real time — only to discover the killer has been watching his broadcast.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Mar. 2025
The foreshadowing of the inevitable downfall started at the end of the district budget meeting when Ava’s nemesis, Crystal, developed suspicions about why Abbott was in a position to so graciously decline the money.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
However, the video was a turning point in Combs’ downfall.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
-
For Pope Francis, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the church camerlengo, or cardinal chamberlain (the official that manages the household of the pope), presided over the certification of death and the placement of the body in a coffin.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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Pope Francis’ last words before his death on Monday were an expression of thanks to his personal nurse and caregiver, Massimiliano Strappetti, the Vatican revealed Tuesday while describing the 88-year-old pontiff’s final hours.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Submersible visits over the years have shown an increase in its deterioration, with rust and microorganisms eating away at the ship's metal. Dives over more than a decade have shown the ship is falling apart.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2025
-
That could mean that rate cuts are pushed off until much later this year or even delayed until next year if that deterioration takes time to materialize.—
Colby Smith,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The tragic demise of Hamlet and Ophelia, driven by revenge and resulting in a watery end, were echoed by the death of two characters.—
Audrey Gibbs,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
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Prior to the start of the Final Four, the negative storylines were well in place that the demise of March Madness was here during the NIL era of college basketball.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Jonesboro, Arkansas, also experienced its wettest April day on record on Saturday, with 5.06 inches of rain recorded.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The storms were fueled by a stationary atmospheric river last week that spawned dozens of tornadoes and overwhelmed communities with up to 16 inches of rain in four days – a 100-to-1,000-year rainfall event, meteorologists said.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Here are the main players joining Joel and Ellie in fortified Jackson, Wyoming, five years after the Firefly destruction: Isabela Merced stars as Dina Who's Dina?—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The April 4 announcement of the security zone expansion and the destruction of Umm al-Nasser demonstrates the IDF's continued military operations in Gaza and is an example of how quickly the conditions in Gaza have deteriorated since the ceasefire.—
Kerem Inal,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This is, in part, about the degradation, devaluation, and replacement of writers.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2025
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Soil degradation, water scarcity, and climate volatility have become immediate operational threats.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The sets had their ups and downs: some of the improvisations were gorgeous, but the more composed elements felt messy.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Haven’t had some of the emotional ups and downs that at times have plagued him earlier in his career.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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To the south, near the equator and the sun’s azimuth, low-pressure zones create frequent storms.—
Christophe Lavaysse,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Apr. 2025
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Hail and damaging winds are the primary threats with these storms, along with a low tornado threat.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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