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
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
Some of the men whose downfalls were celebrated during the height of the #MeToo movement have been welcomed back with open arms.
—
Julie Roginsky, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2024
Presley remarried and, using IVF, had twin daughters at 40 — which, oddly, marked the beginning of a long downfall.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2024
Centuries later, a devastating earthquake in 363 C.E. caused significant damage, hastening the city’s downfall.
—Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024
That moment, as well as her complicated legacy intertwined with the rise of televangelism and the downfall of her former husband and their television empire, led John and Furnish to option the rights to turn her story into a West End show and now a Broadway musical.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for downfall 
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Julie Roginsky, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2024
Presley remarried and, using IVF, had twin daughters at 40 — which, oddly, marked the beginning of a long downfall.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2024
Centuries later, a devastating earthquake in 363 C.E. caused significant damage, hastening the city’s downfall.
—Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024
That moment, as well as her complicated legacy intertwined with the rise of televangelism and the downfall of her former husband and their television empire, led John and Furnish to option the rights to turn her story into a West End show and now a Broadway musical.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for downfall
Dictionary Entries Near downfall
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downfall. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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