DEBACLE IS USUALLY USED SYNONYMOUSLY WITH FIASCO TO MEAN "A COMPLETE FAILURE." IT CAN ALSO REFER TO A GREAT DISASTER (THOUGH TYPICALLY NOT ONE THAT CAUSES SIGNIFICANT SUFFERING OR LOSS). // AFTER THE DEBACLE OF HIS FIRST NOVEL, HE HAD TROUBLE GETTING A PUBLISHER FOR HIS NEXT BOOK. // THE STATE HAS MADE A GREAT DEAL OF PROGRESS IN RECOVERING FROM ITS ECONOMIC DEBACLE. |