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
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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
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Recent Examples of debacle
Reports into both the Gregg Wallace (and subsequently John Torode) MasterChef scandal and the Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone debacle dropped almost simultaneously, bringing with them consequences and posing plenty more questions.
—
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 July 2025
The reputation of the T was in the tank, ridership was down, and derailments, delays and debacles were the order of the day.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 3 July 2025
The entire debacle represents just how rapidly the AI startup landscape is evolving, as well as the growing demand for engineers who are well versed in AI.
—Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Nandy has been highly critical of the BBC in a series of unusual interventions this month, including raising concerns about the leadership of director-general Tim Davie and questioning why no one had been fired over the How to Survive a Warzone debacle.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 July 2025
The reputation of the T was in the tank, ridership was down, and derailments, delays and debacles were the order of the day.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 3 July 2025
The entire debacle represents just how rapidly the AI startup landscape is evolving, as well as the growing demand for engineers who are well versed in AI.
—Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Nandy has been highly critical of the BBC in a series of unusual interventions this month, including raising concerns about the leadership of director-general Tim Davie and questioning why no one had been fired over the How to Survive a Warzone debacle.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
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The need for such programs often reflect the reality that most people displaced by war or disaster typically stay within their country’s region, with only a minority travelling further afield.—
Frey Lindsay,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
28 July 2025
Noun
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More Mark Taylor/Getty Images Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer has predicted that New York will be the biggest losers when the trade deadline is complete.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
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Order backlogs were a defining factor between winners and losers.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
18 July 2025
Noun
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And in fact, failure in the relays has been an ongoing sore subject for Team USA.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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But all of that absolves Luzardo from a basic failure.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
Noun
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Directed by Carlos Moreno and Claudia Pedraza, the series explores the relationship between two literature students whose shared fascination with violence leads to tragedy.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
31 July 2025
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The tragedy comes after a German man, 54, also drowned on Tuesday at Cap de Sant Pere de Cambrils beach, near Llarga beach, bringing Catalan beaches’ fatalities to 16 since June 15, according to the BBC.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
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This fiasco competes with the high-speed rail project for the best way to waste taxpayer dollars.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 July 2025
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The fiasco was immediate and public, but, even after the rout, Kennedy kept pressing the agency to assassinate Castro.—
Keith Gessen,
New Yorker,
16 July 2025
Noun
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So 1% may actually shock businesses into wondering if another calamity is lurking around the corner, prompting them to hunker down and wait rather than expand, Roach warned.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
19 July 2025
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Four Lessons From The Field From the Microsoft mix-up to real-world calamities, there are critical takeaways for any security-conscious organization: 1.—
Chris Bowen,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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