What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Waterloo
Example
The team's loss in the championship game was their Waterloo. [Waterloo: noun]
Example
The company's new product launch was a Waterloo, as it failed to meet sales expectations. [Waterloo: noun]
fiasco
Example
The party was a fiasco, with no one showing up and the decorations falling apart. [fiasco: noun]
Example
The CEO's decision to invest in that startup turned out to be a fiasco, as the company went bankrupt within a year. [fiasco: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fiasco is more commonly used than Waterloo in everyday language. Fiasco is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while Waterloo is less common and typically used in more formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between Waterloo and fiasco?
Waterloo is more formal than fiasco and is typically used in politics or business contexts. Fiasco is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.