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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
-
Matt has hung up his Daredevil horns, lost touch with Karen and still mourns Foggy’s death.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2025
-
But his death only throws the case deeper into confusion.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This industry is the major culprit in the bay’s deterioration.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Feb. 2025
-
In the fourth quarter, revenues were up 2 percent at constant exchange rates, returning to growth after several quarters of deterioration, mainly thanks to the improvement recorded by the wholesale channel.—
Luisa Zargani,
WWD,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Given the important roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards, the pressures that are exerted on them, and the failure of some boards to meet those challenges, some community leaders have advocated for their demise in favor of a different approach.—
Timothy J. McClimon,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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Both brothers are quickly brought up to speed, though, when they’re made co-CEOs of the underground operation to fill the power vacuum left by Baba’s demise.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
More rain fell in 24 hours in some locations than normally falls in the entire month of March.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Some light rain might occur midweek, but not much is expected.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Here, Clay, played by Al Freeman Jr., is a fool too easily lured by Lula’s unhinged seduction, all but assuring his destruction.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Service degradation caused in some attacks has lasted multiple days, with some remaining ongoing as of the time this post went live.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Bristol Myers Squibb is leveraging AI and machine learning to advance protein degradation science.—
Tina Chakrabarty,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In general, dividends are not always predictable, following the ups and downs of company profits over time.—
Dividend Channel,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Okay, two years of ups and downs and time to move on to Penix.—
Josh Kendall,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The best time to do this is after a storm, as pieces of amber are dislodged from the sea bed by rough waters.—
Stephan Rabimov,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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Follows a speedy 12-year-old sloth named Laura whose odd sloth family is left homeless by a devastating storm.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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