Downfall: meaning, definitions and examples
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downfall
[ ˈdaʊnˌfɔːl ]
tragic outcome
A sudden and severe decline or deterioration, typically leading to ruin or destruction.
Synonyms
collapse, decline, destruction, ruin
Examples of usage
- The downfall of the Roman Empire was caused by a combination of internal corruption and external invasions.
- The stock market crash in 1929 marked the beginning of the economic downfall.
loss of power or prestige
A sudden loss of power, status, or prestige.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The scandal led to the politician's downfall and resignation from office.
- After the CEO's involvement in the scandal, the company experienced a rapid downfall in reputation.
Translations
Translations of the word "downfall" in other languages:
🇵🇹 queda
- declínio
- ruína
🇮🇳 पतन
- गिरावट
- विनाश
🇩🇪 Niedergang
- Untergang
- Verfall
🇮🇩 kejatuhan
- kemerosotan
- kehancuran
🇺🇦 занепад
- падіння
- руйнування
🇵🇱 upadek
- załamanie
- ruina
🇯🇵 没落 (ぼつらく)
- 崩壊 (ほうかい)
- 破滅 (はめつ)
🇫🇷 chute
- déclin
- ruine
🇪🇸 caída
- declive
- ruina
🇹🇷 düşüş
- çöküş
- yıkım
🇰🇷 몰락
- 하락
- 붕괴
🇸🇦 سقوط
- انحدار
- دمار
🇨🇿 pád
- úpadek
- zhroucení
🇸🇰 pád
- úpadok
- zrútenie
🇨🇳 衰落
- 崩溃
- 破产
🇸🇮 padec
- zaton
- propad
🇮🇸 hrap
- hnignun
- eyðilegging
🇰🇿 құлдырау
- құлау
- күйреу
🇬🇪 დაცემა
- დაცინვა
- ნგრევა
🇦🇿 düşmə
- enmə
- məhv
🇲🇽 caída
- declive
- ruina
Word origin
The word 'downfall' originated from Old English 'dune' (down) and 'feallan' (to fall), combining to form 'dune-fall'. Over time, the meaning evolved to signify a sudden decline or loss. The concept of downfall has been a recurring theme in literature and historical events, symbolizing the inevitable consequences of hubris or external factors beyond one's control.
See also: fall, fallacy, fallback, fallen, falling, fallout.