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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
The loser of the 7-8 game then hosts the winner of the 9-10 game with that winner earning the eighth seed.—
Dan Loumena,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The loser will get a second chance to make the playoffs on Friday, squaring off against the winner of the second play-in game between the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings.—
Homero De la Fuente,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
There is a relief bill awarding the child $20 million in state funds to address Florida’s failure to protect him.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2025
-
But whoever the Pels end up selecting in the 2025 Draft needs to step into a situation that feels stable and free of any burden that comes with recent failures.—
William Guillory,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Instagram comment sections are flooded with hearts and flowers; the media memorializes a tragedy.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
-
These events devastate local communities not just as the tragedy unfolds but in its aftermath.—
Shoshi Parks,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
There’s the Hail Mary fiasco and its fallout, but Stevenson also continued to rotate with Smith last season.—
Kevin Fishbain,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Those are problems, not fiascos, and problems happen.—
Ina Fried,
Axios,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
And Tim’s ongoing legal calamity eventually collides with Gaitok’s attempt to prove himself in the aftermath of the robbery.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Although appetites for visions of collision and calamity remained healthy beyond, the prospect of cometary catastrophe became derided in the annals of serious science.—
Thomas Moynihan,
Big Think,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share