debacle
Americannoun
-
a general breakup or dispersion; sudden downfall or rout.
The revolution ended in a debacle.
-
a complete collapse or failure.
- Synonyms:
- calamity, catastrophe, fiasco, ruin, disaster
-
a breaking up of ice in a river.
-
a violent rush of waters or ice.
noun
-
a sudden disastrous collapse or defeat, esp one involving a disorderly retreat; rout
-
the breaking up of ice in a river during spring or summer, often causing flooding
-
a violent rush of water carrying along debris
Etymology
Origin of debacle
1795–1805; < French débâcle, derivative of débâcler to unbar, clear, equivalent to dé- dis- 1 + bâcler to bar ≪ Latin baculum stick, rod
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That’s a pretty clear sign that Castel wants to investigate this debacle and hold those behind it responsible.
From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026
Both these jobs entailed prolonged, ego-deflating battles; both ended in professional debacle.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
While there is no question – yet – that Stokes should step down as Test captain, we are certainly heading into Bazball overtime, regardless of the Ashes debacle.
From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026
Crockett called the CBS debacle at the time a “boost” for Talarico.
From Salon • Mar. 3, 2026
As his beloved Bronchos sputtered and fluttered against the endless siege of that black-shirted machine, all he could do was wait for the debacle to be over.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
