debacle

noun

de·ba·cle | \ dē-ˈbä-kəl

, di-, -ˈba-

; nonstandard ˈde-bə-kəl

variants: or less commonly débâcle \ dē-ˈbä-kəl

, di- , -ˈba-

; also dā-ˈbäk(lᵊ) , -ˈbä-kəl ,

Definition of debacle

1a : a great disaster

b : a complete failure : fiasco

2 : a tumultuous breakup of ice in a river

3 : a violent disruption (as of an army) : rout

Synonyms The Origin of Debacle Is French Example Sentences Learn More about debacle

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The Origin of Debacle Is French

Debacle comes from the French noun débâcle, which comes from the verb débâcler, meaning "to clear," "to unbolt," or "to unbar." That verb is from Middle French desbacler, which joined the prefix des- (equivalent to our de-, meaning "to do the opposite of") with the verb "bacler" ("to block"). In its original uses, "debacle" meant a breaking up of ice, or the rush of ice or water that follows such an occurrence. Eventually, "debacle" was used also to mean "a violent, destructive flood." Naturally, such uses led to meanings such as "a breaking up," "collapse," and finally "disaster" or "fiasco."

Examples of debacle in a Sentence

What a debacle. Next thing he knew, one of the patients would turn up dead. — T. Coraghessan Boyle, The Road to Wellville, 1993 So what had been intended as an orderly hearing ended in a general debacle, for as soon as Fray Domingo saw his protector dragged toward the exit door, he leaped at the guards and began pummeling them. — James A. Michener, Texas, 1985 Savings themselves evaporate in the course of such a debacle and thus the very wherewithal for reversing and retrieving the situation is lost … — Jane Jacobs, Cities and the Wealth of Nations, 1984 After the debacle of his first novel, he had trouble getting a publisher for his next book. the financial debacle that was the stock market crash of 1929

Recent Examples on the Web

Then Florida State jumped to a 24-6 lead on the Broncos, sending a message that its 5-7 debacle from a year ago. — Los Angeles Times, "College football spotlight: Oregon blows big chance for itself and Pac-12," 31 Aug. 2019 The agency is aware that marijuana companies have found legal workarounds to their trademark debacle. — Ally Marotti, chicagotribune.com, "SharksBreath, Bio Jesus and Kiwi Skunk: Marijuana companies need to protect their brands. But trademarks are a tricky situation.," 30 Aug. 2019 Chrissy Teigen has never been one to shy away from sharing her health, uh, debacles, with the public. — Christina Oehler, Health.com, "Chrissy Teigen Shows Off Swollen Lips as a Result of Altitude Sickness—Here's How That Happens," 19 Aug. 2019 That is worrying; some of America’s greatest foreign-policy debacles have stemmed from politicised intelligence. — The Economist, "Donald Trump wants a loyalist as America’s top intelligence official," 3 Aug. 2019 One of the bills was sponsored by House data practices committee chair Peggy Scott, an Andover Republican, whose personal information was improperly accessed during the drivers license data debacle. — Tad Vezner, Twin Cities, "Old debate on homeowner privacy dominates talk on Ramsey County’s body cameras," 10 July 2019 Only a handful of players remain from the two dozen guys who cycled through last season’s 19-win debacle. — Greg Moore, azcentral, "Phoenix Suns' summer upheaval wasn't splashy, but was constructive," 3 July 2019 Demi Lovato has picked her side in the Scooter Braun vs. Taylor Swift debacle. — Ellise Shafer, Billboard, "Demi Lovato Defends Scooter Braun Against Taylor Swift: 'I'm Always Gonna Stay Loyal to My Team'," 1 July 2019 Trump’s idea of sovereignty and the need for a secure border is at odds with Merkel’s instance that eastern and southern Europeans follow her own disastrous immigration debacles. — Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, "Is Germany Becoming Germany — Again?," 4 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'debacle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for debacle

debacle

noun

English Language Learners Definition of debacle

: a great disaster or complete failure

See the full definition for debacle in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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debacle

Definition of debacle

Synonyms for debacle

The Origin of Debacle Is French

Examples of debacle in a Sentence

First Known Use of debacle

History and Etymology for debacle

English Language Learners Definition of debacle

debacle

Definition of debacle

Synonyms for debacle

The Origin of Debacle Is French

Examples of debacle in a Sentence

First Known Use of debacle

History and Etymology for debacle

English Language Learners Definition of debacle

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