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
The steep drop in the housing market and the resulting downfall of the mortgage industry led to a credit crisis that brought the economy into a recession.
—
Barbara Hagenbaugh,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Alongside the police raids, the downfall of these tycoons put pressure on scam companies, which have relocated from Cambodia in recent months, researchers and former scam workers said.
—
Shibani Mahtani,
NPR,
21 June 2026
And Hinch was jeered again after Jones struck out, bookending the booing and showing Tigers fans are perturbed over the team’s downfall.
—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2026
The second episode… [is about] the fall of the group, precipitating [John Pearson’s] leaving, the downfall.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Barbara Hagenbaugh,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Alongside the police raids, the downfall of these tycoons put pressure on scam companies, which have relocated from Cambodia in recent months, researchers and former scam workers said.
—
Shibani Mahtani,
NPR,
21 June 2026
And Hinch was jeered again after Jones struck out, bookending the booing and showing Tigers fans are perturbed over the team’s downfall.
—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2026
The second episode… [is about] the fall of the group, precipitating [John Pearson’s] leaving, the downfall.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
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Benning's cause of death was a fatal combination of a large amount of cocaine dissolved in alcohol, medical examiners testified during Taylor's trial.
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According to a Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner death investigation report obtained by USA TODAY on July 1, Ransone's brother told an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department that the actor had a history of suicidal ideation.
Noun
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But nothing competes with the painful deterioration of her sight after contracting scarlet fever.
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In addition, city officials can now require owners to install security measures to help protect vacant buildings from further deterioration or trespassing.
Noun
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Windows Central, however, notes that the demise of the Surface Go is not related to the RAM crunch.
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But the spirit in which the challenge was launched was admirable and rooted in the fierce competitiveness that both made the SWC fun and perpetuated its demise.
Noun
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When the rain cleared, a rainbow arched above the New York skyline.
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Five to 10 inches of rain are possible from Sunday morning through Wednesday afternoon.
Noun
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Rodríguez said authorities have recorded 862 aftershocks since the main quakes and confirmed that 189 buildings collapsed completely nationwide, the vast majority in La Guaira, the coastal state that suffered the worst destruction.
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Our previous card featured the fiery destruction of the Missouri Pacific depot in 1909.
Noun
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Electric-vehicle owners and operators face concerns that repeated charging and discharging of a battery could accelerate battery degradation, and that use of V2G could void a battery warranty.
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This unwanted movement, known as the polysulfide shuttle effect, causes active material loss, side reactions, self-discharge, and rapid capacity degradation.
Noun
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Besides the curiosity that would accompany the wedding of the world’s biggest celebrity, Swift’s wedding means something to fans who watched her process her feelings, her romantic ups and downs through her music for years.
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The two went through a tumultuous series of ups and downs over the subsequent year before Cuddy left the hospital — and the show — at the end of season 7.
Noun
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Eagle avoided the brunt of the storm as the crew navigated toward open ocean.
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Local Idaho agencies have spent days addressing storm damage caused by a low-pressure system from the Gulf of Alaska that brought winds over 50 mph, lightning, hail and more than an inch of rain to some areas.
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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