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
While the nation has faced hardships, every downfall presents an opportunity for renewal.
—
Jonel Juste, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Waltz skipped that crucial step of the dictator’s downfall and total battlefield victory.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2025
Those who post continuously don’t understand that social media is the downfall of many relationships.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
Worse still for Iran was the downfall of the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December, the regime’s most powerful ally in the region.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
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Jonel Juste, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Waltz skipped that crucial step of the dictator’s downfall and total battlefield victory.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2025
Those who post continuously don’t understand that social media is the downfall of many relationships.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
Worse still for Iran was the downfall of the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December, the regime’s most powerful ally in the region.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downfall. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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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