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

---

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

That debacle is the reason why the NFL’s preparation for a potential lockout is now months ahead of where it was 14 years ago.

From The Wall Street Journal

Of course there was the cellar debacle, but Grandma Star also sends her books about Native history and culture and let slip that Mom used a tribal scholarship for grad school.

From Literature

Both these jobs entailed prolonged, ego-deflating battles; both ended in professional debacle.

From The Wall Street Journal

The “Bachelorette” debacle is a harsh baptism for the new leadership at Disney—Chief Executive Josh D’Amaro and President and Chief Creative Officer Dana Walden.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

Related Words

• beating
• breakdown
• collapse
• crash
• defeat
• devastation
• disaster
• downfall
• drubbing
• failure
• fiasco
• reversal
• rout
• wreck