Debacle - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A debacle is a sudden and disastrous failure or collapse, often resulting in confusion or humiliation. It describes a situation that goes terribly wrong despite expectations of success.
Definition:
A sudden and complete failure or collapse, often resulting in chaos or humiliation.
Synonyms:
fiasco, disaster, catastrophe, downfall
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
success, triumph
Common Collocations:
financial debacle, political debacle, utter debacle, total debacle
Derivatives:
debacles (plural), debacled (rare/archaic)
Usage Tips:
Use "debacle" to describe a dramatic failure, often public or large-scale, not minor mistakes.
Common Phrases:
complete debacle, utter debacle, turn into a debacle
Etymology:
From French "débâcle," meaning a sudden collapse or breaking up of ice in a river.
Examples:
- 1. The project ended in a debacle after the team missed every deadline.
- 2. His speech was a debacle when he forgot all his notes on stage.
- 3. The company faced a financial debacle after the scandal went public.
- 4. The concert turned into a debacle when the sound system failed repeatedly.