downfall

/'daunfɔ:l/

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Word: Downfall

Part of Speech: Noun

Simple Definition: "Downfall" means a sudden loss of power, importance, or success. It can also refer to something that falls down from a higher place, like water (rain, snow, etc.).

Usage Instructions:

• Use "downfall" when talking about someone or something that was once strong or important but has lost that strength or importance suddenly.
• It often implies that something bad happened that caused the decline.

Examples:

1. In a Sentence: "The company's downfall was due to poor management decisions."
2. In Literature: "The downfall of the king was tragic, as he lost everything he once ruled over."

Advanced Usage:

• "Downfall" can be used in more complex sentences to describe various situations, such as political, social, or personal failures.
• Example: "The downfall of the ancient civilization was attributed to both internal conflict and external pressures."

Word Variants:

• Downfalling (verb): The act of falling down or declining.
• Downfall (adjective form isn't common, but you can use 'downfallen' to describe something that has fallen from a position of power): "The downfallen leader struggled to regain public trust."

Different Meanings:

1. Literal Meaning: The falling of water (like rain or snow).
   • Example: "The downfall of rain filled the rivers."
2. Figurative Meaning: A loss of reputation or status.
   • Example: "His downfall was the result of a scandal."

Synonyms:

• Collapse
• Decline
• Failure
• Ruin
• Downturn

Idioms:

• "The writing is on the wall": This idiom means that signs of someone's downfall are clear to see.
• "To fall from grace": This means to lose status or respect, often due to a mistake or scandal.

Phrasal Verbs:

• "Fall out": This can mean to have a disagreement that leads to a deterioration in a relationship, which can sometimes lead to one's downfall.
  • Example: "Their friendship fell out after the scandal, leading to her downfall."

Summary:

"Downfall" refers to a sudden decline in strength or importance. It is often used to talk about people or organizations that have lost their power or reputation.

Academic

Noun

1. a sudden decline in strength or number or importance
   • the fall of the House of Hapsburg
2. the falling to earth of any form of water (rain or snow or hail or sleet or mist)
3. failure that results in a loss of position or reputation

Synonyms

• fall
• precipitation
• ruin
• ruination