debacle Meaning & Definition
What Does Debacle Mean?
Debacle is used as a noun meaning An event or enterprise that ends suddenly and disastrously, often with humiliating consequences. It can also mean A breaking up of a natural dam, usually made of ice, by a river and the ensuing rush of water.
Word Facts for Debacle
| Part of speech | noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //deɪˈbɑː.kəl// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | fiasco, thrashing and whipping |
| Plural | debacles |
Debacle Definition (Noun)
- An event or enterprise that ends suddenly and disastrously, often with humiliating consequences.
- A breaking up of a natural dam, usually made of ice, by a river and the ensuing rush of water.
Synonyms of Debacle
Debacle synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Debacle
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Debacle in a Sentence
No example sentences are available for this entry.
Word Forms & Grammar
debacle (plural debacles)
Words That Rhyme With Debacle
Origin of Debacle
Origin 1: From French débâcle, from débâcler (“to unbar; unleash”) from prefix dé- (“un-”) + bâcler (“to dash, bind, bar, block”) [perhaps from unattested Middle French and Old French *bâcler, *bacler (“to hold in place, prop a door or window open”)], from Vulgar Latin *bacculare, from Latin baculum (“rod, staff used for support”), from Proto-Indo-European *bak-.
Origin 2: Also attested in Old French desbacler (“to clear a harbour by getting ships unloaded to make room for incoming ships with lading”) and in Occitan baclar (“to close”).
Origin 3: The hypothesised derivation from Middle Dutch *bakkelen (“to freeze artificially, lock in place”), a frequentative of bakken (“to stick, stick hard, glue together”) no longer seems likely due to the lack of attestation of *bakkelen in Middle Dutch and by it having the limited meaning of "freeze superficially" in Dutch.
How Do You Say Debacle?
The standard pronunciation of debacle is //deɪˈbɑː.kəl//, spoken in 1 syllable.
Quick Answers About Debacle
What part of speech is debacle?
Debacle is a noun.
What is another word for debacle?
You can replace debacle with words such as fiasco, thrashing and whipping. See the full list of debacle synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of debacle?
The plural of debacle is debacles.