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

What ultimately led to her downfall, I think, were the separation of powers and the Fifth and Sixth amendments.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

Still, the post-Oscar slump exists nonetheless, fueled by a world that enjoys building people up before laughing at their downfall.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

But Norwich doesn’t ignore the republic’s bumblers and stumblers and the “sad, feckless men” who presided over its downfall in 1797.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

On 4 December, 2024, Yoon announced to the nation that he was declaring martial law – plunging South Korea into chaos and setting in motion a series of events that would precipitate his downfall.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

Dumbledore’s triumph, and its consequences for the Wizarding world, are considered a turning point in magical history to match the introduction of the International Statute of Secrecy or the downfall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

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