Debacle
mediumNegative tonedih-BAH-kul
noun
Definition
A sudden and ignominious failure; a fiasco
Memory hook
De-BUCKLE: Everything unbuckles and falls apart -- a total debacle disaster.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The product launch turned into a complete debacle.”
“The military debacle cost thousands of lives.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The product launch turned into a complete ______.”
Show answer
debacle
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Debacle is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "fiasco" or "catastrophe" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "success".
Related GRE Words
catastrophic
Involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering
founder
(verb) To fail utterly; to sink (of a ship); to stumble
calamitous
Involving or causing a calamity; disastrous
abate
To reduce in amount, degree, or intensity
abiding
Lasting for a long time; enduring and unchanging
abstract
Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence
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