Synonyms for

Debacle

Verb / dʌˈbɑ:kʌl / Another word for debacle — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a sudden and complete failure; a fiasco

Synonyms & similar words

drubbing whipping fiasco trouncing walloping slaughter thrashing disaster failure catastrophe fiasco collapse ruin meltdown bust downfall crash mess debacle defeat blunder tragedy bungle calamity misadventure screw-up botch

Synonyms by register

Formal

catastrophe disaster calamity fiasco

Informal

mess washout train wreck disaster

Literary

ruin downfall shambles

Antonyms

success triumph victory achievement accomplishment win boon

Common collocations

  • complete debacle
  • utter debacle
  • economic debacle
  • political debacle
  • military debacle
  • ignominious debacle
  • a total debacle

Word family

noun debacle

Usage note

A 'debacle' refers to a sudden and ignominious failure, often a complete collapse. It is typically used for events or situations rather than individual actions.

Example sentences

  1. The party was a debacle from start to finish.
  2. The project was a complete debacle and the team had to start all over again.
  3. The company's latest marketing campaign was a total debacle and they lost a lot of money.
  4. The new restaurant was a debacle and had to close down after just a few months.
  5. The concert was a complete debacle and the audience left disappointed.

Quotes

  • A debacle is a disaster of such magnitude that one's reputation is destroyed merely by association with it.
  • The debacle of the 2016 election will go down in history as one of the greatest political upsets of all time.
  • The company's latest product launch was a complete debacle and they lost a lot of money in the process.

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