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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fail
Ream tried to chase him down but failed; right back Nathan Byrne almost got there but couldn’t.
—
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2025
Defense attorney Marc Carlos argued Friday that prosecutors failed to turn up evidence that Bonillo was being paid large sums of money by the cartel.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
Telluride's identical measure on Tuesday failed by 20 votes, but since Mountain Village approved it, the lift tax will still take effect.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
The Wolves failed to reach the quarterfinals in each of the first two years of Cup play.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2025
Defense attorney Marc Carlos argued Friday that prosecutors failed to turn up evidence that Bonillo was being paid large sums of money by the cartel.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
Telluride's identical measure on Tuesday failed by 20 votes, but since Mountain Village approved it, the lift tax will still take effect.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
The Wolves failed to reach the quarterfinals in each of the first two years of Cup play.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
-
The driver of the car that was hit died at the scene, according to police.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
-
In filing the suit, the city was following the lead of Norma Nazario, who, in 2024, sued TikTok and Meta for the wrongful death of her fifteen-year-old son, Zackery, who died surfing, claiming that algorithms encouraged her son to become addicted to the act.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Those shows come from a time when fisheries were collapsing and regulations meant to save them forced fishermen into a daily sprint to the bottom.—
Dan Morrison,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Gilbert is hardly the only celebrity lending their support to Ryder’s Law, which was named after a horse who died in Manhattan in 2022 after collapsing in the August heat.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
For an evening splurge, the theatrical restaurant Marble never disappoints.—
Emily Baldwin,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Most recently, the company’s third-quarter earnings report left a lot of investors disappointed about its strategic transition, with weaker-than-expected revenue and no specific financial guidance for the upcoming fiscal year.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
With some estimates putting wave heights as much as 35 feet, weakened hatch covers would have been vulnerable to such waves.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The years of horrific violence have weakened Sudan, plunging its institutions into chaos and making its population more vulnerable and poorer.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
No more having to wait for the preheat temperature or worrying about forgetting to set it.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Rustin ran his hand over his own neck and forgot his mission.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Police previously said a 2011 Infiniti G37 sedan crashed on the I-30 service road and caught fire.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The Edmund Fitzgerald was caught in a savage storm with hurricane-force winds around 100-mile-an-hour and waves up to 60 feet, crashing down on the freighter every four to eight seconds, says Bacon.—
NPR,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The storm was the deadliest typhoon to hit the country this year, killing at least 114 people, with many more reported missing — most in Cebu province, a tourist hotspot.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Free throws from Trey Murphy III and Saddiq Bey sealed the deal for New Orleans, who were playing without star Zion Williamson, who is scheduled to miss at least a week with a strained hamstring.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
For one night, under cold rain and flickering red lights, the noise faded.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Once summer flowers fade and growth stops, start cleaning up the garden.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share