downfall

American  

[doun-fawl] / ˈdaʊnˌfɔl /

noun

1. descent to a lower position or standing; overthrow; ruin.

2. something causing ruin, failure, etc..

   Liquor was his downfall.

3. a fall, as of rain, snow, or the like, often sudden or heavy.

4. a trap using a falling weight for killing, injuring, or imprisoning the prey.

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downfall British  

/ ˈdaʊnˌfɔːl /

noun

1. a sudden loss of position, health, or reputation

2. a fall of rain, snow, etc, esp a sudden heavy one

3. another word for deadfall

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Other Word Forms

• downfallen adjective

Etymology

Origin of downfall

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; down ¹ + fall

Example Sentences

His arrest completes the social downfall of a man once toasted as the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite son and a dashing wartime helicopter pilot.

From The Wall Street Journal

Soaring inflation in Asia's number-two economy -- after decades of flat or falling prices -- contributed to the downfall of Takaichi's two predecessors and Japan's first woman premier has made helping households a priority.

From Barron's

But the story of Andrew's links to Epstein has been decades in the making - and so has Andrew's downfall, first chipping away at his reputation before turning into an avalanche of disgrace.

From BBC

The downfall of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, is unprecedented in modern British royal history.

From The Wall Street Journal

I always envisioned Lucy and Stephen’s worst, biggest breakup in college, and her public downfall culminating with the wedding weekend.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breakdown
• collapse
• debacle
• destruction
• deterioration
• overthrow
• undoing