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
And without understanding these models at a deep level, they can’t be trusted to do anything where failure is not an option.
—
Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Sure, the day ended with $200 going up in flames, the hunt again a failure.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
The first shutdown in over five years began just after midnight on Wednesday, after a standoff between Senate Republicans and Democrats over healthcare spending culminated in their failure to pass a pair of last-ditch funding bills.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Both agreed their research indicated a failure higher up the chain.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Sure, the day ended with $200 going up in flames, the hunt again a failure.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
The first shutdown in over five years began just after midnight on Wednesday, after a standoff between Senate Republicans and Democrats over healthcare spending culminated in their failure to pass a pair of last-ditch funding bills.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Both agreed their research indicated a failure higher up the chain.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failure
Noun
-
Non-Orientable Nkansa, 2017, one of his earliest large-scale installations, announced his dedication to monumental assemblages that fixate on negligence and crumbling edifices.—
Edna Bonhomme,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The Hardimans are seeking damages over the collision, alleging that Campbell drove through a red light and that his negligence caused the crash.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
His commanding position could mark a significant shift in city politics, especially considering the primary defeat of Cuomo and the presence of high-profile opponents such as incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Despite its enormity, the Peasants’ War and its bloody defeat have been forgotten in recent years.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In the area of Eaton Fire, the pace of permit approvals is much quicker than before the disaster — an average of 72 days, compared with about eight months previously.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The agency is still investigating the disaster and hosted a series of hearings on the matter over the summer.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The federal government officially began a partial shutdown with no last-minute drama or shortage of finger-pointing from Democrats and Republicans, each of whom was content to blame the other for the impasse.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The outbreak was forcing a shortage of eggs as well, leading some grocers to restrict how many dozens of eggs consumers could buy per visit.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The furniture and home decor retailer based in Coppell, Texas filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to broader economic and retail-specific market pressures, according to court documents.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The deal’s first hurdle is approval by a federal bankruptcy judge in Delaware, where the Dolphin Company is trying to raise funds and negotiate with creditors to reduce its debt and reorganize its business.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Igou is also facing a felony count of neglect of a dependent because her eldest child was allegedly not enrolled in school, according to court records reviewed by PEOPLE.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Four of the counts are felonies and carry an intensifier for neglect of a child under 6 years old.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Panleukopenia - lethargy, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, painful abdomen, dehydration, weight loss, rough or unkempt hair coat, fever, decreased to absent appetite or collapse.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The Toronto Blue Jays could be well on their way to a collapse atop the American League East.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As the clock ticks, the lack of urgency in the nation's capital to keep the government's lights on stands in stark contrast to the consequences a shutdown may have for many Americans.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Stoner says that reductions in STI services at the state and local levels, as well as social and economic conditions such as poverty and lack of health insurance, have likely contributed to rising rates of syphilis, which in turn led to increasing rates of congenital syphilis.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failure. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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