Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

dégringolade

American  
[dey-gran-gaw-lad, dey-grang-guh-lahd] / deɪ grɛ̃ gɔˈlad, deɪˌgræŋ gəˈlɑd /

noun

plural

dégringolades
  1. French. a quick deterioration or breakdown, as of a situation or circumstance.


Etymology

Origin of dégringolade

First recorded in 1880–85; literally “a quick deterioration,” from dégringoler “to tumble down” + -ade 1

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.

Months later came the dégringolade, when sterling was driven out of the European exchange rate mechanism.

From The Guardian • Aug. 12, 2012

But the phlegmatic Englishman won't lead in that dégringolade.'

From The Convert by Robins, Elizabeth

The news from Europe is to my ignorant ideas désolant, a dégringolade back into military despotism, which would have excited indignation with us in our fathers’ days, I think. 

From Letters from Egypt by Ross, Janet

How perfectly true to life, subsequently, is the rapid dégringolade of this passion under the gnawing curse of the homeless, workless, purposeless existence which little by little disunites the lovers!

From Prophets of Dissent : Essays on Maeterlinck, Strindberg, Nietzsche and Tolstoy by Heller, Otto