# debacle

/dəˈbɑkəɫ/ (US) · /deɪbˈɑːkəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/debacle
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a complete failure or a situation that is a total mess. It is often used when something that was supposed to be successful goes very wrong in an embarrassing way.

For teachers: a sudden and humiliating failure or downfall, especially of a public undertaking. Often carries connotations of disorder, ridicule, or scandal.

## Examples

- The product launch was a complete debacle.
- The political campaign descended into a debacle after the candidate's email leaked to the press.
- Investors lost millions in the financial debacle that followed the company's premature expansion into international markets without sufficient research.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.