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
Relevance
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
This 2020 novel follows three characters who seek to rise – one to the middle class, one to political power and one to fame – and the link that ties their ambitions and downfalls.
—
Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
Trying to grow too fast can be the downfall of many organizations.
—Harvard Business Review, 26 Feb. 2025
So all the stuff that’s going on in society that’s the downfall of us is cause and effect.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
What was the reason for the downfall of the Song dynasty?
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
Trying to grow too fast can be the downfall of many organizations.
—Harvard Business Review, 26 Feb. 2025
So all the stuff that’s going on in society that’s the downfall of us is cause and effect.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
What was the reason for the downfall of the Song dynasty?
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
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Missouri has the most deaths with 12, followed by Kansas with eight.—
Robert Shackelford,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
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Edna Buchanan is the Pulitzer prize-winning crime reporter who covered more than 5,000 violent deaths during her 18-year career at the Miami Herald.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Roads and bridges are designed with strict weight limits for a reason: excessive loads accelerate structural deterioration, leading to costly repairs and safety hazards.—
Ydanis Rodriguez,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2025
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In addition to this, using excessive water or harsh chemical cleaners can then lead to moisture accumulation around window seals, which can potentially cause mould growth or deterioration of the frame around the windows.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The duo were intrigued by a movie that could tell not only the Cain and Abel story of two childhood pals turned lethal adversaries, but also the demise of the Mafia's national stranglehold, which began with Costello's famous testimony before a congressional hearing in 1951.—
Marco della Cava,
USA TODAY,
20 Mar. 2025
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And coming shortly after Brexit, Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union, DFID’s demise further called into question Britain’s commitment to global cooperation.—
Sarah Stroup,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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When a local festival is happening or when rain is in the forecast, their AI systems could adjust staffing and stock levels.—
Claire Vanessa Lim,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, which studies and tests ways to make homes more resilient, has recommended construction standards based on its research, both for high wind and heavy rains, as well as wildfires.—
Ron Lieber,
New York Times,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For many historians and museums, documenting the destruction is a significant part of the restoration process.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN,
8 Mar. 2025
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But when a new threat presents itself, the group reunites to figure out their mission and prevent Earth’s destruction.—
Jacqueline Weiss,
People.com,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Overly broad agent objectives introduce performance degradation, making debugging and optimization significantly more challenging.—
Rick Kelly,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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Where everything seems more and more about degradation.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Riders were miked so that viewers could experience all the ups and downs of the day alongside them.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
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The couple opened up about the ups and downs of their relationship in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE ahead of the release of Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up season 2.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors The Pokémon franchise is almost 30 years old now, having taken the world by storm with the release of Pokémon Red and Green for the original Game Boy in Japan in 1996.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
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Over the weekend, the human rights lawyer was spotted grabbing lunch with her husband, George Clooney, in New York City while wearing a cropped blazer, white T-shirt, and the leg-lengthening denim cut that’s taking Hollywood by storm: flare jeans.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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