1
as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action
your failure to check the batteries in the smoke detector could have tragic results
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in defeat
a falling short of one's goals
the failure of the school's fund-raising drive was a big disappointment to all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disaster
something that has failed
the students' first attempt to build a homemade rocket was a disappointing failure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
the failure of the potato crop had a devastating effect on the population of Ireland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in bankruptcy
the inability to pay one's debts
years of prolonged economic depression, when business failures were common
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 failure
That such rhetoric passed without objection is not merely a failure of decorum.
—
Isabella Brannon, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
Despite efforts by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to restore a ceasefire in Gaza, neither Israel nor Hamas has shown willingness to back down on core demands, with each side blaming the other for the failure to reach a deal.
—USA Today, 17 June 2025
While human error is the leading cause of data loss, other causes include hardware failure, theft, software corruption, viruses, natural disasters and power failure.
—Chongwei Chen, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
When the administration announced the proclamation on Wednesday, Trump argued that Harvard’s failure to disclose information on international student misconduct threatened national security.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Isabella Brannon, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
Despite efforts by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to restore a ceasefire in Gaza, neither Israel nor Hamas has shown willingness to back down on core demands, with each side blaming the other for the failure to reach a deal.
—USA Today, 17 June 2025
While human error is the leading cause of data loss, other causes include hardware failure, theft, software corruption, viruses, natural disasters and power failure.
—Chongwei Chen, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
When the administration announced the proclamation on Wednesday, Trump argued that Harvard’s failure to disclose information on international student misconduct threatened national security.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failure
Noun
-
Boat operator negligence or DUI – The Coast Guard also states that negligent operation — including drinking, speeding, or unsafe boating — can lead to fines up to $5,000 and imprisonment.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2025
-
In the early hours of June 14, 2017, residents of Grenfell Tower were caught off guard by a deadly fire that would turn the building into an international symbol of negligence and injustice.—
Time,
Time,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
His only loss prior to his UFC 311 setback to Makhachev was a March 2022 unanimous decision defeat to former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in a 160-pound catchweight battle.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
But at Dodger Stadium on Sunday afternoon, teammate Max Muncy did it twice — hitting two home runs and matching a career high with seven RBIs to lift the Dodgers to a 13-7 defeat of the Washington Nationals, and make Ohtani more of the sideshow in his second pitching start of the season.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
By ordering these strikes, Trump acted without congressional approval and in contradiction to his campaign promise to avoid the kind of disasters experienced in Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
22 June 2025
-
One of the factors that exacerbated the Chernobyl disaster was a design flaw within the nuclear reactor that exploded, Bernstein said, adding that the design is no longer used.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
To address the critical worker shortage, Massachusetts must prioritize benefits and training and improve pay for DSPs.—
Brian Cusack,
Boston Herald,
25 June 2025
-
There is a growing shortage of drivers, rising costs, and relentless demand for faster deliveries.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
To do so is an admission of bankruptcy that feeds on itself to the bank’s detriment.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
The news broke in early June that At Home was considering filing for bankruptcy, and now, just two weeks later, the brand has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office posted video of Scott Allen Gardner being apprehended on Thursday on charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
20 June 2025
-
London spoke about his case at a press conference earlier this month, where Barbara Fair, the executive director of Stop Solitary CT, referred to him as someone who had experienced medical neglect first-hand within the Department of Correction.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Despite official reassurances, the currency markets are painting a different picture — one of accelerating collapse.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 June 2025
-
The new legislation was passed in the aftermath of the deadly collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside in June 2021 which killed 98 people.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
The lack of optimism stems from a losing streak and ongoing drama between the team's new head coach and a star player.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
18 June 2025
-
Last season, Al Hilal’s attack mustered 95 goals even as the team finished second, eight points behind Al Ittihad, but Asian Champions League glory has eluded them since 2021, casting a harsher light on their lack of elite individual quality.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failure. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share