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

downfallen

ˈdau̇n-ˌfȯ-lən 

adjective

Synonyms

• death
• destruction
• ruin
• ruination
• undoing

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

The ‘blazing furnace’ The real estate mogul’s downfall was stunning for the gargantuan scale of the fraud, rattling a country which has long projected an image of authoritarian stability. —Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024

His downfall was precipitated by his decision to invoke Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, bypassing a parliamentary vote to push through a controversial 2025 budget. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

Yet, the moral implications of the franchise weren’t its downfall. —Hunter Ingram, Variety, 3 Dec. 2024

The downfall was so severe that Qualcomm reportedly saw Intel as a potential takeover target. —Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids 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

downfallen

-ˌfȯ-lən 

adjective