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
Following the downfall of Zhang and his lieutenant in January, an editorial published by the official PLA Daily newspaper accused the two former military leaders of undermining Xi’s ultimate authority while also reinforcing Xi’s message of zero-tolerance on corruption.
—
Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
The Venezuelan Communist Party, which had already distanced itself from Maduro before his downfall, has become another major source of criticism against Rodríguez’s administration.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Twelve hours after Minnesota’s Game 5 elimination, Kyle Anderson had a theory for the downfall.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 3 May 2026
Matt Gelb has the inside story of Thomson’s downfall.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
The Venezuelan Communist Party, which had already distanced itself from Maduro before his downfall, has become another major source of criticism against Rodríguez’s administration.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Twelve hours after Minnesota’s Game 5 elimination, Kyle Anderson had a theory for the downfall.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 3 May 2026
Matt Gelb has the inside story of Thomson’s downfall.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
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The music publication Revolver reported in a 2023 article about Cold as Life that the hard rock band continued to perform after its frontman’s death.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
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Since 2018, authorities had used advanced DNA evidence to link Brashers to the strangulation death of a South Carolina woman in 1990, the 1997 rape of a 14-year-old girl in Tennessee and the shooting of a mother and daughter in Missouri in 1998.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The following month, the Veterans Administration filed a report stating that the Nautilus Veterans Hospital was in a severe state of deterioration, mostly because of the dampness from the sea air, which caused the concrete’s steel rods to rust and give way.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
-
The switch in alliances has coincided with the rapid deterioration of the security situation in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Joining me to discuss rising production costs, shifts in viewing preferences, and the demise of one of the pillars of late night television is USA TODAY TV Critic Kelly Lawler.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
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In the series finale, in which every character meets their demise, Keith owns his own security company but is strangely still physically moving cash around in an armored truck when he is gunned down in the year 2029.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Noun
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If left out, they can get weathered and moldy from the rain and become home to bugs or allergens.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
14 May 2026
-
Why this matters for safety and cost Inadequately maintained roads and drainage systems become dangerous during heavy rain, extreme heat, or winter weather.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Its offspring included Erebus (Darkness) and Nyx, who goes on to produce Ker (destruction), Thanatos (death), and Oizys (pain), among many others.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Comments under the brand's post showing a photo of the destruction show support for the cupcake bakery.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
One man’s modernity is, of course, another’s degradation, and, as dinner was served, the conversation turned to such recent innovations as ghost runners, pitch clocks, and robot umps, none of them to Murray’s liking.—
Ben McGrath,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Critical rehabilitation work has begun on about 1 ½ miles of sanitary sewer pipe in Macomb County, Michigan, after utility crews found severe degradation in the line.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Then eyeball-down a recipe accordingly.—
Emma Laperruque,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 May 2026
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To deliver that Willis need to be clutch on third downs and execute when his offense is in the red zone.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Lake Baikal, often described as an inland sea because of its enormous size, is notorious for sudden storms and icy conditions even during tourist season, according to National Geographic.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2026
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This flooding becomes even worse if accompanied by heavy rain or direct storm surge.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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