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
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Recent Examples of failure
That your fridge isn’t just malfunctioning because of some electrical failure.
—
Broti Gupta, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026
Kurt's key takeaway Even government agencies are not immune to large-scale security failures.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The original was the debut of Jang Joon-hwan, a close early collaborator of Bong Joon Ho, but its commercial failure stalled Jang’s career for more than a decade, even as the film gained a reputation as a misunderstood classic.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
The result is a stark mismatch: a law designed to correct past failures is replicating them because the survivors who need it most are the least equipped to use it.
—Stephen Martin, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for failure
Broti Gupta, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026
Kurt's key takeaway Even government agencies are not immune to large-scale security failures.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The original was the debut of Jang Joon-hwan, a close early collaborator of Bong Joon Ho, but its commercial failure stalled Jang’s career for more than a decade, even as the film gained a reputation as a misunderstood classic.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
The result is a stark mismatch: a law designed to correct past failures is replicating them because the survivors who need it most are the least equipped to use it.
—Stephen Martin, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for failure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failure
Noun
-
The lawsuit also alleges WSU was liable for claims of outrageous conduct and other forms of negligence.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The legal claims included negligence, wrongful death, deceptive trade practices, and product liability.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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They are expected to hire former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their offensive coordinator after firing Greg Roman two days after their second straight wild-card defeat.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
-
By the end of the game, Shell's North Carolina A&T men's basketball team would suffer a huge halftime deficit and an eventual 84-58 defeat.—
Scott MacFarlane,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Depending on the weather, a disaster emergency could be declared, which can help access state and federal funding.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Camarda — who was also a member of the first space shuttle crew to launch after the 2003 Columbia disaster — is among a group of former NASA employees who do not believe that the space agency should put astronauts on board the upcoming lunar excursion.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Wagner said the shortages of equipment and staff will have a lasting impact on rebuilding in his community.—
Jeff Nguyen,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Sale speculation has surrounded Puma since last September, and there’s been no shortage on who could be buyers for the German sportswear brand.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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It’s expected that Saks Global will draw up a new schedule for paying vendors, which must be approved by the bankruptcy court judge.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
23 Jan. 2026
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Some filings in the bankruptcy case indicate that Academy West wasn’t collecting nearly enough from rents to cover the property’s monthly mortgage costs, let alone other crucial expenses such as insurance, maintenance, and property taxes.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Menees was charged with two counts each of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, armed criminal action and abuse or neglect of a child, as well as one count of unlawful use of a weapon and three counts of first-degree domestic assault.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Tamma, who is gay, is a roiling stew of adolescent emotions further fueled by physical abuse suffered in childhood at her father’s hands and by the neglect and disdain dumped on her by her mother.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That year, the Port of Baltimore was hampered by the collapse of the Frances Scott Key Bridge.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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Oil revenue is a key part of Russia's economy, allowing President Vladimir Putin to pour money into the war effort against Ukraine without worsening inflation and avoiding a currency collapse.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This fundamental issue, combined with inadequate training periods and lack of performance accountability, has created an officiating system that struggles to meet the demands of a multibillion-dollar league.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Industry partners say physically accurate simulation helps overcome the lack of diverse robotics data.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failure. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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