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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of downfall
What led to Martin University's downfall Trustees say that Martin's mission to educate a dwindling number of lower-income students has posed a severe financial challenge.
—
Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
Irrational hubris has been the downfall of many empires.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
Hill’s season-ending knee injury in Week 4, which certainly contributed to Tagovailoa’s downfall.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
Both Andrew and Ferguson were at church on Easter Sunday along with the rest of the royal family as recently as last year, before the latest chapter in his public downfall took place in October.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downfall
Noun
-
Fuentes is facing one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.—
-
Sandoval had not been charged as of Thursday in the teen’s death, according to police.—
Noun
-
With the deterioration and rise of crime in South Beach in the late 1970s, as well as inflation and the shrinking tourist business, the Famous was forced to close in 1981.—
-
While analysts do not expect the rift to escalate into direct conflict, even a limited deterioration could carry far-reaching consequences.—
Noun
-
Mosley challenged his team to take care of the basketball and play with better energy and effort from the jump — two key factors that led to Orlando‘s demise at Washington.—
-
Injuries played a big role in the team’s demise, especially on the offensive line.—
Noun
-
The rain, or the rats, had made holes in all the flour sacks.—
-
Locations farther south and east might see mostly rain.—
Noun
-
Since the boycott, PEN has donated to Palestinian aid organizations, highlighted writers and journalists who have been targeted and killed by Israel, and released a report on the deliberate destruction of Palestinian cultural heritage.—
-
Consumers and retailers should destroy affected products and not return them, as Gold Star will issue refunds with proof of destruction.—
Noun
-
That selectivity creates a stable interface and avoids many of the degradation pathways that plague liquid-electrolyte cells.—
-
Scarce arable land and soil degradation further constrain food production.—
Noun
-
The ardent fan can’t expect this running game to produce 164 yards in its current state; the reasonable fan of any NFL team can’t expect to go 10-for-18 on third- and fourth-downs, either.—
-
But facing a clever Chargers defense on Sunday night, passing downs could become more complicated.—
Noun
-
There is potential for a coastal storm Thursday and or Friday, but confidence is low.—
-
There’s roughly two and a half months left of the winter season, which means that there are plenty of chilly evenings, snow storms, and freeze warnings to look forward to.—
Cite this Entry
“Downfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downfall. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share