debacle
day-BAH-kuhl
/deɪˈbɑːkəl/
A sudden and ignominious failure; a complete disaster or fiasco.
A debacle is a highly visible, embarrassing, and sudden collapse, often resulting from a series of bad decisions or poor planning.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the French 'débâcle', which originally referred to the sudden breaking up of ice on a frozen river. When the ice broke, it caused a violent, chaotic rush of water and debris downstream. By the 19th century, the term was borrowed into English to describe any sudden, chaotic collapse or disaster.
Word relationships
- fiasco: Fiasco and debacle are highly synonymous, but debacle often carries a stronger connotation of a sudden, chaotic collapse or rout.
- catastrophe: Catastrophe emphasizes physical destruction or extreme suffering, whereas debacle emphasizes embarrassment and administrative failure.
- triumph: A triumph is a great victory or achievement, the exact opposite of a humiliating failure.
- success: Success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.
Commonly confused with
- obstacle: An obstacle is a barrier that must be overcome, while a debacle is the failure to overcome it, resulting in disaster.
Collocations
- complete debacle
- financial debacle
- political debacle
Example sentences
- "The launch of the new software turned into a complete debacle when the servers crashed within minutes of going live." A report on a disastrous product launch.
Memory hook
'Debacle' sounds like 'The buckle'. Imagine a bridge's support beams buckling, causing a sudden and complete collapse. Debacle = The buckle (collapsing under pressure).
When not to use
Do not use debacle for minor personal slip-ups; it should be reserved for larger, more public failures.
Fun facts
- In French, the verb 'débâcler' is still used literally to describe the thawing of frozen rivers in spring.
Explore more words
ignominious, ignominy, go down in flames, opprobrium, discombobulated, fracas
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