failed; failing; fails
1
a
: to lose strength : weaken
her health was failing
b
: to fade or die away
until our family line fails
c
: to stop functioning normally
The patient's heart failed.
2
a
: to fall short
failed in his duty
b
: to be or become absent or inadequate
The water supply failed.
c
: to be unsuccessful
The marriage failed.
specifically
: to be unsuccessful in achieving a passing grade
took the exam and failed
d
: to become bankrupt or insolvent
Banks were failing.
1
a
: to disappoint the expectations or trust of
Her friends failed her.
b
: to miss performing an expected service or function for
His wit failed him.
2
: to be deficient in : lack
… our nation's greatest resource is our youth. … It has … never failed an invincible courage …—
Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur3
: to leave undone : neglect
fail to lock the door
4
a
: to be unsuccessful in passing
failed chemistry
b
: to grade (someone, such as a student) as not passing
The teacher failed only his two worst students.
plural fails
Examples of fail in a Sentence
Verb
He failed in his first attempt but succeeded in his second attempt.
His first company failed, but his second company succeeded.
He felt that he had failed her when she needed him most.
The government has failed the voters.
Recent Examples on the Web
Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Previous attempts at a temporary truce between Russia and Ukraine have all failed to hold.
—Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Mike Sando, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Despite all the fails in this movie, the spirit of Christmas is still at the heart of it all.
—Katie Grant, Parents, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Monica Cannon-Grant, 44, pleaded guilty in September 2025 to 18 of 27 counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud and failing to file tax returns related to a scheme in which Cannon-Grant and her late husband, Clark Grant, pocketed thousands of dollars in donations to their nonprofit.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Previous attempts at a temporary truce between Russia and Ukraine have all failed to hold.
—Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
As for the other teams searching for coaches, the Steelers no longer get a pass, while so many others flat-out fail.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Despite all the fails in this movie, the spirit of Christmas is still at the heart of it all.
—Katie Grant, Parents, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fail. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fail
1 of 2 verb1
a
: to lose strength : weaken
failing eyesight
b
: to stop functioning
the engine failed
2
a
: to fall short
failed in their duty
b
: to become absent or lacking
the power failed
c
: to be unsuccessful (as in passing an examination)
d
: to grade as not passing
fail a student
e
: to become bankrupt
3
: disappoint, desert
fail a friend in need
4
: to leave undone : neglect
fail to answer the telephone
fail
2 of 2 noun
: failure sense 1
—usually used in the phrase without fail
Medical Definition
fail
intransitive verb1
: to weaken or lose strength
her health was failing
2
: to stop functioning normally
the patient's heart failed
Legal Definition
fail
intransitive verb1
: to be or become inadequate or unsuccessful especially in fulfilling certain formal requirements
even if one or more terms are left open, a contract for sale does not fail for indefiniteness—Uniform Commercial Code
Uniform Commercial Code2
: to become bankrupt or insolvent
: to leave undone or neglect to do
fail to appear in court
fail to read a contract
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