déchéance

downfall, degradation

noun deh-sheh-AHNS Rare

Also means

forfeiture (of rights)

Usage Note

Déchéance carries a strong moral or social weight, suggesting a fall from a formerly respected position. In legal contexts it means forfeiture, as in déchéance de la nationalité (loss of citizenship). The adjective déchu describes someone who has fallen from grace.

Examples

"Sa déchéance morale choqua tout le village."

Natural Translation

His moral downfall shocked the whole village.

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