1
as in to die
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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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
Engineering electrolyte’s co-solvent However, their performance often fails at the interface between the electrode and the liquid electrolyte.
—
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
These top-down directives often fail to reach the frontlines and, worse, overlook the ingenuity and urgency frontline producers already bring.
—Felipe Arango, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
But Ellison never followed through with more donations after Scott formally entered the race and failed to gain momentum, according to the New York Times.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Obiageli Orah, the director of public affairs and consumer protection at FAAN, told Newsflare the passenger repeatedly failed to comply with safety instructions.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
These top-down directives often fail to reach the frontlines and, worse, overlook the ingenuity and urgency frontline producers already bring.
—Felipe Arango, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
But Ellison never followed through with more donations after Scott formally entered the race and failed to gain momentum, according to the New York Times.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Obiageli Orah, the director of public affairs and consumer protection at FAAN, told Newsflare the passenger repeatedly failed to comply with safety instructions.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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The way people typically die in intersections is often because of head-on and T-bone crashes, which the roundabout design addresses, Bryson said.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
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Uzbek artist Feruza Kholkhujaeva filled courtyards with potted plants that will slowly die, a portrait of grief.—
Dada Jovanovic,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In this scene, Vivian tries to teach Wil how to fall without hurting herself, as dancers do; of course, Wil only collapses to the ground when Vivian gets too close to her.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
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All 67 people aboard both aircraft were killed as the plane and helicopter collapsed into the river below.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Like much of Saturday, though, KU’s defense disappointed.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
27 Sep. 2025
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Idaho Transportation Department says don’t expect big changes Those hoping that state officials can somehow swoop in to alleviate Idaho 55’s traffic problem will likely be disappointed.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And, in the process, weakening the ability of American tech companies, many of them based in California, to achieve their goals.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
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Winds will continue to weaken later in the afternoon, while flooding across the high terrain in the Central Azores is also expected to subside.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The four-pack comes with two 4-inch and two 5-inch candles, and each one requires AA batteries for a true set-it-and-forget-it setup.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Sep. 2025
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Defensive front is struggling versus the run The Dolphins lost an 18-year NFL veteran in Calais Campbell who has probably forgotten more football than his replacements (Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers) collectively know.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The waves crashed behind the stage, as fans—including myself—stood barefoot in the sand.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
25 Sep. 2025
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Residents calling 911 in Forrest County had to wait on the line until being transferred to the National 911 Call Center, which then had to transfer the call to a non-emergency line in the county — some of which had crashed, Gerry Burns, the Deputy 911 Coordinator of the county, told CNN.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Evidence of damage includes chewed, cut or missing leaves; yellowing or brown leaves; white webbing and green-black excrement on or around the plant, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
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One bullet missed her eye and the other her brain by mere centimeters.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The present is always coming at us so hard and fast that the unexamined past fades more from consciousness in the echo chamber of the now.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Sep. 2025
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Nobody buys an Alfa Romeo to fade into the crowd.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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