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Synonyms

debacle

American  
[dey-, -bak-uhl, duh-, dee-bah-kuhl] / deɪ-, -ˈbæk əl, də-, diˈbɑ kəl /

noun

  1. a general breakup or dispersion; sudden downfall or rout.

    The revolution ended in a debacle.

  2. a complete collapse or failure.

    Synonyms:
    calamity, catastrophe, fiasco, ruin, disaster

  3. a breaking up of ice in a river.

  4. a violent rush of waters or ice.

debacle British  
/ deɪˈbɑːkəl, dɪ- /

noun

  1. a sudden disastrous collapse or defeat, esp one involving a disorderly retreat; rout

  2. the breaking up of ice in a river during spring or summer, often causing flooding

  3. a violent rush of water carrying along debris

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Crockett called the CBS debacle at the time a “boost” for Talarico.

From Salon • Mar. 3, 2026

Italian football stands on the brink of a Champions League "debacle" - with the prospect of no Serie A clubs competing in this season's last 16.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

With the city facing multiple lawsuits over the billing debacle, Clark helped oversee a friendly class-action lawsuit against the city, the judge found.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Or given me any assignment after my debacle with Luzan, much less one with a man like John Kwang, with whom I might so easily identify?

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

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.