1
as in to die
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to collapse
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to disappoint
to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of
although the minor-league franchise continues to fail local fans, hope springs eternal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to weaken
to lose bodily strength or vigor
ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to forget
to miss the opportunity or obligation
failed to mention that he was looking for new job
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fail
Trump’s taste for combat sports dates to the 1980s, after his reported failed bid to buy the Baltimore Colts.
—
Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
Eastern Syria is where risks of ethnic tension, tribal mobilization, and jihadist resurgence converge, if talks fail.
—Hassan Hassan, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
Although easy to compute and useful for basic contexts, degree centrality fails to capture global information about the network.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2025
Berman was tasked with ensuring the NWSL’s fate did not resemble that of its predecessors, Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) and Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), which both failed financially and folded in 2003 and 2012, respectively.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
Eastern Syria is where risks of ethnic tension, tribal mobilization, and jihadist resurgence converge, if talks fail.
—Hassan Hassan, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
Although easy to compute and useful for basic contexts, degree centrality fails to capture global information about the network.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2025
Berman was tasked with ensuring the NWSL’s fate did not resemble that of its predecessors, Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) and Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), which both failed financially and folded in 2003 and 2012, respectively.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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Coulson, a Miami lawyer, died unexpectedly last month.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Which is interesting, given that Lillard died in the first film.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ares instead collapses the two, transporting technology from the other universe—like the light cycle, a futuristic motorcycle that’s become a franchise icon—onto real-world streets.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Polling data show Jones' support collapsing.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Their two best options, Quinn Priester and Peralta, disappointed during these past two games at Wrigley Field.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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She was not disappointed with the responses.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But with her coalition prospects in doubt, and the party weakened by scandal and voter frustration, her route to Japan’s top job is far from assured.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
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Studies have found that, in some instances, background noise can weaken territorial responses in males.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mary, Viola's second-eldest, devoted her life to ensuring that her mother and her cause would not be forgotten.—
Emma George-Griffin,
Freep.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Their flight lasted less than a minute before crashing roughly a quarter-mile from the hospital’s helicopter pad.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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Minott crashed the glass and dished a couple of fast-break assists.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Williams, who for many years was the person on KU’s sideline to race onto the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium turf to retrieve the tee after kickoffs, from 1970 until 2020 didn’t miss a KU football home game.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
8 Oct. 2025
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The following clips showed Kourtney and Travis making their way through the scare setup, which included actors dressed up as the film's antagonist The Grabber in the character's terrifying mask, along with a van filled with missing posters for members of Kourtney and Travis' family.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That legacy hasn’t faded, but the region feels freshly alive these days as chefs, artists, and creative entrepreneurs put down roots.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Oct. 2025
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With spring bloomers like azaleas, wait to prune later in spring after the flowers have faded.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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