downfall

[ doun-fawl ]

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.

downfall

/ 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

Other Words From

• downfallen adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of downfall¹

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

Example Sentences

He has behaved like a politician and in some ways has faced the downfall of a politician or executive, rather than that of spiritual leader.

From BBC

“I don't think that's got anything necessarily to do with a woman's place, so to speak. It's more the fact is that she's going to be in and around normal people for a sort of dangerous amount of time, which could then lead to their downfall. Because that's the kind of cage of what this show's been,” he said.

From Salon

Many of his gripes seem to be about what he sees as the downfall of New York.

From Slate

“It is so repulsive. It is so disastrous. It is the embodiment of the downfall of the American family. I think it’s so gross. I think it’s just so nauseating,” Kirk said, set off by a new ad, produced by a liberal Christian organization, that features Julia Roberts reminding women that how one votes need not be shared with any emotionally-stunted man who would throw a fit.

From Salon

He was, before his downfall, one of the top Democratic donors in the country.

From Slate

Related Words

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