What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
debacle
Example
The company's new product launch was a complete debacle. [debacle: noun]
Example
The team's performance was a debacle, resulting in a humiliating defeat. [debacle: adjective]
fiasco
Example
The concert was a fiasco, with technical difficulties and poor planning. [fiasco: noun]
Example
The team's strategy was a fiasco, resulting in a crushing defeat. [fiasco: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fiasco is more commonly used than debacle in everyday language. Fiasco is a more versatile word that can be used in a wider range of contexts, while debacle is less common and often reserved for more formal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between debacle and fiasco?
Debacle is generally considered more formal than fiasco. It is often used in news articles or academic writing to describe significant failures or disasters, while fiasco is more commonly used in casual conversation or social media.