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
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of debacle
Another allegation from the former deputy chief of the National Intelligence Service, Hong Jang-won, who left his job days after the martial law debacle, also suggests the president played a direct role in ordering use of force against political opponents.
—
Se Eun Gong, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024
In this way, the Iran-contra debacle helped put to rest any Israeli illusions that revolutionary Iran was ephemeral or nonthreatening.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
Steinman said Yuengling not only benefited last year from its successful expansion into three states, but also fallout from a Bud Light marketing debacle, which slashed sales of the best-selling beer in the U.S. by 27%.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 4 Dec. 2024
The impact of Credit Suisse’s debacle is highlighted in both the Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission’s criminal and civil cases against Leech, whose attorney has vowed to fight the accusations.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for debacle 
Se Eun Gong, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024
In this way, the Iran-contra debacle helped put to rest any Israeli illusions that revolutionary Iran was ephemeral or nonthreatening.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
Steinman said Yuengling not only benefited last year from its successful expansion into three states, but also fallout from a Bud Light marketing debacle, which slashed sales of the best-selling beer in the U.S. by 27%.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 4 Dec. 2024
The impact of Credit Suisse’s debacle is highlighted in both the Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission’s criminal and civil cases against Leech, whose attorney has vowed to fight the accusations.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
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The bill would provide $100 billion in funds for cleanup after devastating Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which rocked Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and other Southern states, as well as other disasters.Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
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Developing Highly Detailed Maps Geospatial mapping technology could be better leveraged in disasters.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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However, as with any rapidly evolving technology, there will be winners and losers.Adam Sarhan, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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As with other areas of the law, the Biden-Harris administration routinely weaponized antitrust enforcement to pick economic winners and losers.Tom Hebert, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The Russell Wilson experiment in Denver was such a failure that he was eventually cut from the team, despite the financial ramifications: the Broncos incurred $85 million in dead salary over the 2024 and 2025 seasons by releasing Wilson, the largest dead cap hit in league history.Ben Morse, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
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Dog owners should check for sweeteners, because some—such as xylitol—can be very dangerous to dogs, leading to low blood sugar and, potentially, liver failure.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Here is where the films of Mike Leigh, a master of human tragedy and everyday comedy, land on a scale of tragic-comic circumstances.Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
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This monumental tragedy about today and tomorrow used its size and awe to burrow bold ideas into the multiplex.Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Overall, Macron personally bears responsibility for this fiasco, and as such is very much diminished politically. Follow me on LinkedIn.Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
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The Bears’ latest calamity ended Thursday with an absolutely astounding final-minute fiasco.Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The calamity beneath the surface, however, sends our heroes on a race to save 40 people trapped deep underground, including two of their own.Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2024
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The Bears’ latest calamity ended Thursday with an absolutely astounding final-minute fiasco.Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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