variants
also débâcle
1
as in disaster
a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction
the financial debacle that was the stock market crash of 1929
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in failure
something that has failed
the movie, which some had predicted would be a blockbuster, turned out to be the summer's biggest debacle at the multiplexes
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debacle
Setting themselves apart from their opponents on the Interstate 77 toll lane debacle and establishing a reputation as a coalition builder, according to two former City Council members on opposite sides of the aisle.
—
Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Five months later, thousands are still waiting for bills and tens of thousands are waiting for refunds, the latest development in the technology upgrade debacle that has roiled the county’s tax system for more than four years with no clear end in sight.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
After Sunday’s debacle, Sturm called out his team’s leaders – and himself.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Swift even lent Kravitz and her mom one of her homes during the LA fires in January 2025, which led to the whole snake debacle.
—Hannah Madlener, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Five months later, thousands are still waiting for bills and tens of thousands are waiting for refunds, the latest development in the technology upgrade debacle that has roiled the county’s tax system for more than four years with no clear end in sight.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
After Sunday’s debacle, Sturm called out his team’s leaders – and himself.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Swift even lent Kravitz and her mom one of her homes during the LA fires in January 2025, which led to the whole snake debacle.
—Hannah Madlener, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debacle
Noun
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The Chernobyl disaster is the worst nuclear power plant accident ever in terms of death toll and cost.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Satellite connectivity can act as a backup during disasters like hurricanes or wildfires.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Their bite can lead to rapid respiratory failure and paralysis without prompt medical treatment.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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Doe alleges the school’s failure to act caused long-term emotional and psychological harm that continues today.—
Lexi Nicklaus,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The chicken and beer fiasco in 2011.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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Contained within all these fiascoes is a subtly different conservative movement.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Are those the exact services a family needs and can rely on to avoid tragedy?—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The investigation falls amid a variety of other probes into the tragedy at Camp Mystic, including as part of lawsuits filed by families against the camp’s leaders.—
Ashley Killough,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the context of extreme space weather, some individuals or groups may interpret such an event as an impending apocalypse.—
Ryan French,
Space.com,
15 Apr. 2026
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The SaaS apocalypse, in his telling, is not hype.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debacle. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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