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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debacle
Many could make the case that, after the playoff debacle last season against the Green Bay Packers, McCarthy shouldn’t have been brought back to even run out the final year of his deal.
—
Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
That tent city debacle is a blueprint for what not to do.
—Gerard S. Williams, Sun Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2025
This caps off a year in which federal politicians zeroed in on private equity ownership of health-care providers, including the Steward Health debacle, and pushes Congress one step closer to new regulations.
—Caitlin Owens, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025
But three months later, Sonos’ board of directors and Spence have concluded that those steps weren’t enough: the app debacle has officially cost Spence his job.
—Chris Welch, The Verge, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for debacle 
Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
That tent city debacle is a blueprint for what not to do.
—Gerard S. Williams, Sun Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2025
This caps off a year in which federal politicians zeroed in on private equity ownership of health-care providers, including the Steward Health debacle, and pushes Congress one step closer to new regulations.
—Caitlin Owens, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025
But three months later, Sonos’ board of directors and Spence have concluded that those steps weren’t enough: the app debacle has officially cost Spence his job.
—Chris Welch, The Verge, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
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In early January, the stage was set for a wildfire disaster in Los Angeles.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
29 Jan. 2025
-
The trailer has tipped most of the big gags, from the disaster at the dock to Jim wrestling an alligator, but Stoller’s script is strong enough that the movie’s pleasures are far from spoiled.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Our doctrine holds that money losers don’t belong in your portfolio.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2025
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Where are the winners and losers of the coming great climate migration?—
Andrea Riquier,
USA TODAY,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The bureau’s failures meant that the destruction wrought by the Confederates and the slave trade would persist well beyond the war’s conclusion.—
Robert Colby,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 Feb. 2025
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Black Middle Class and Black Elite are Present The idea that the disenfranchisement of Black Americans has resulted in their perpetual failure is false.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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All those aboard the plane were killed in the tragedy.—
Rachel Wolf,
Fox News,
1 Feb. 2025
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Our prayers are with the families, friends, neighbors and everyone affected by this tragedy.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Drawing the Line Against Russia Mr. Blinken’s first test, the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, was widely seen as a fiasco.—
Edward Wong,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
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That sequence was eerily similar to a goal-line fiasco against Ohio State.—
Audrey Snyder,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Tens of thousands of college students have been marching for nearly three months demanding those responsible for the calamity be held accountable and prosecuted accordingly.—
Chris Massaro,
Fox News,
31 Jan. 2025
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The conditions are harsh, with crazy winds and parched terrain cooking up one calamity after another, and anyone who isn’t on edge is either in denial, sedated or a renter.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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