Word forms: plural debaclesregional note: in BRIT, also use débâcle
countable noun
A debacle is an event or attempt that is a complete failure.
After the debacle of the war the world was never the same again. [+ of]
The convention was a debacle.
Synonyms: disaster, catastrophe, fiasco More Synonyms of debacle
debacle in British English
(deɪˈbɑːkəl, dɪ-)
noun
1.
a sudden disastrous collapse or defeat, esp one involving a disorderly retreat; rout
2.
the breaking up of ice in a river during spring or summer, often causing flooding
3.
a violent rush of water carrying along debris
Word origin
C19: from French débâcle, from Old French desbacler to unbolt, ultimately from Latin baculum rod, staff
debacle in American English
(dɪˈbɑkəl; dɪˈbækəl; deɪˈbɑkəl)
noun
1.
a breaking up of ice in a river, etc.
2.
a rush of debris-filled waters
3.
an overwhelming defeat or rout
4.
a total, often ludicrous, collapse or failure
Word origin
Fr débâcle, breakup, overthrow < débâcler, to break up < dé-, de-, + bâcler, to bar, prob. < VL *bacculare < *bacculum, var. of L baculum, staff: see bacillus
Examples of 'debacle' in a sentence
debacle
The whole debacle has been a complete and utter mess.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Obviously his concern about retiring after the summer Euros debacle would have been that he was bowing out on such a low note.
The Sun (2016)
The cause of and remedy for the expenses debacle are simple and obvious.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Does this debacle call the whole academy programme into question?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He cannot risk a role in yet another debacle.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But this is another disappointment to add to last year 's debacle.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Luckily for him, the expenses debacle has opened a new political front.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It's more confusing than the whole pay rise debacle.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
While it is tempting to laugh at such comic farce, the whole debacle does raise a couple of serious points.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They are on hold while two reviews are conducted, one into the west coast debacle and another into the franchise process.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
All I know is the whole debacle is doing my head in.
The Sun (2012)
I don't want to be presiding over yet another debacle.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Certainly, the Suez debacle two years earlier was important.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
The whole debacle shows that the only thing worse than politicians not doing anything to resolve problems is politicians trying to fix problems that don't exist.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
I have not heard a single complaint from my nephew, or his future wife, concerning their disappointment over this recent debacle.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
debacle
British English: debacle NOUN
A debacle is an event or attempt that is a complete failure.
After the debacle of the war the world was never the same again.
American English: debacle
Brazilian Portuguese: fracasso
Chinese: 彻底失败
European Spanish: desastre
French: fiasco
German: Debakel
Italian: disfatta
Japanese: 大失敗
Korean: 대실패
European Portuguese: fracasso
Latin American Spanish: debacle
(noun)
Definition
something that ends in a disastrous failure, esp. because it has not been properly planned
the convention was a debacle
Synonyms
disaster
The whole production was a disaster.
catastrophe
The world is heading towards an environmental catastrophe.
fiasco
The party was a bit of a fiasco.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of catastrophe
Definition
a great and sudden disaster or misfortune
The world is heading towards an environmental catastrophe.
Synonyms
disaster,
tragedy,
calamity,
meltdown (informal),
cataclysm,
trouble,
trial,
blow,
failure,
reverse,
misfortune,
devastation,
adversity,
mishap,
affliction,
whammy (informal),
bummer (slang),
mischance,
fiasco
in the sense of fiasco
Definition
an action or attempt that fails completely in a ridiculous or disorganized way