online vocabulary.com

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.

debacle

/dɪˈbɑːkəl/ /dɪˈbɑːk(ə)l/

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.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS