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
That would be his downfall on Monday, too, hitting his putt a little too hard.
—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2026
Turkey salvaged some pride by beating the United States in their third and last game, but profligacy in front of goal was their downfall as they were dumped out of the tournament at the bottom of their group.
—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
28 June 2026
The Sound and The Fury Told by four narrators in a stream of consciousness writing style, this 1929 story describes the downfall of a wealthy Southern aristocratic family, the Compsons.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
The company’s downfall came not from its ties to the Costa Rican underworld but from Pughsley and the others’ failure to pay taxes.
—
Keith O’Brien,
New Yorker,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for downfall
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Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2026
Turkey salvaged some pride by beating the United States in their third and last game, but profligacy in front of goal was their downfall as they were dumped out of the tournament at the bottom of their group.
—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
28 June 2026
The Sound and The Fury Told by four narrators in a stream of consciousness writing style, this 1929 story describes the downfall of a wealthy Southern aristocratic family, the Compsons.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
The company’s downfall came not from its ties to the Costa Rican underworld but from Pughsley and the others’ failure to pay taxes.
—
Keith O’Brien,
New Yorker,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downfall. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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