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

Explanation

A downfall is a sudden drop in status or strength. You might be winning at Monopoly until your opponents decide to team up against you, which leads to your downfall. Poor political decisions can result in the downfall of a government or party, and an economic depression can lead to the downfall of businesses and banks. A more literal, but less common, kind of downfall is when rain or snow falls down to the ground: "The downfall of snow will make the roads slippery tonight." The "decline in strength" meaning has been in use since the 14th century.

Example Sentences

As the book’s subtitle indicates, Mr. Bayliss, a scholar of Greek history at the University of Birmingham in England, situates the Spartans firmly within the time-honored pattern of overreach leading to downfall.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

Dozens of allegations against Weinstein kicked off the #MeToo movement in 2017 and led to the downfall of the once-powerful Hollywood figure.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

As well as campaigning against capital punishment and the obligatory headscarf for women, she has also regularly predicted the downfall of the clerical system that has ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

In a season where Arsenal lead the way in scoring from set-pieces, it may prove to be the downfall from City's perspective.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

Let me say that anyone who considers the discourse written above will see how either hatred or contempt has been the cause of the downfall of these previously mentioned emperors.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli

Related Words

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