Synonyms of fail

fail

verb

ˈfāl 

1

as in to die

to stop functioning

my car failed just as I was about to head to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• die
• crash
• stall
• break
• cut out
• give out
• break down
• sputter
• conk (out)
• fizzle
• malfunction
• act up
• jam
• wheeze

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• start (up)

2

as in to collapse

to be unsuccessful

despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapse
• miss
• flop
• struggle
• fold
• flunk
• bomb
• strike out
• fall short
• tank
• come up empty
• fall flat
• decline
• come to grief
• flame out
• wash out
• lay an egg
• die on the vine
• founder
• crash
• come a cropper
• slip
• crumble
• crater
• flounder
• fall on one's face
• wane
• sink
• slump
• miscarry
• implode
• skid
• misfire
• go under
• self-destruct

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• succeed
• go
• deliver
• click
• work out
• go over
• come off
• thrive
• prosper
• flourish
• cook
• win
• prevail
• pan out
• triumph

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

• disappoint
• let down
• cheat
• displease
• upset
• dissatisfy
• distress
• bum (out)
• deceive
• disillusion
• delude
• disenchant
• mock
• discontent
• chagrin
• disgruntle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfy
• fulfill
• gratify
• content
• gladden

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

• weaken
• fade
• go
• sag
• sink
• deteriorate
• wilt
• languish
• droop
• wither
• decay
• waste (away)
• lag
• flag
• emaciate
• wear out
• yield
• break down
• rot
• degenerate
• run down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recover
• rally
• recuperate
• rebound
• gain
• convalesce

5

as in to forget

to miss the opportunity or obligation

failed to mention that he was looking for new job

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forget
• neglect
• omit
• ignore
• miss out on
• disregard
• pass over
• overlook
• skip
• slight
• slide
• pretermit
• default
• slip
• overpass

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remember
• do
• keep
• observe
• mind
• perform
• execute
• meet
• carry out
• heed
• practice
• satisfy
• fulfill
• comply (with)
• discharge

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fail

Eight of the squad must have been registered in England or Wales for three full seasons before their 21st birthday, but Chelsea are not in danger of failing to meet that threshold. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

LandSpace tried to bring the booster back for a touchdown that day as well, but the attempt failed. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2026

One bright spot for Labour Apart from generating growth, Burnham and Healey must address other problems that Starmer and Reeves failed to tackle. — Ian King, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

However, in my experience working in AI development, these algorithms lack engineering reasoning and often fail to calculate long-term architectural dynamics. — Ihor Hamal, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026