failing

noun fail·ing \ ˈfā-liŋ \

|Updated on: 19 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: failing in a Sentence

Definition of failing

: a usually slight or insignificant defect in character, conduct, or ability

See failing defined for English-language learners

See failing defined for kids

Examples of failing in a Sentence

He has some minor failings.
we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night

Recent Examples of failing from the Web

These legal actions reflect the growing awareness that addiction is a disease of the brain and not a moral failing of the soul, so it should be treated like diabetes or any other chronic illness.

— brian barnett, STAT, "Jails and prisons: the unmanned front in the battle against the opioid epidemic," 2 July 2018
Rather, candor is his currency, an accounting of his failings that secures his place in this universe.

— sean o'neal, GQ, "The Tortured Mind Of Dan Harmon," 30 May 2018
For Mr Duque, whose political mentor is the anti-accord former president Álvaro Uribe, the peace deal’s failings go much deeper than that.

— The Economist, "Will Colombia’s next president imperil the peace deal with the FARC?," 26 May 2018
That said, the reasons for this crisis go well beyond a single company’s failings, as Erika explains.

— clifton leaf, Fortune, "Brainstorm Health: Drug Supply Shortage, Right to Try Passage, India Virus Outbreak," 23 May 2018
Sullivan, Wright’s trial judge, triggered an investigation by the U.S. Justice Department into the D.C. Corrections Department’s failings.

— Washington Post, "U.S. judge says erroneous inmate releases by D.C. jail is ‘significant public safety issue’," 11 May 2018
Hoping to divert some of the attention being paid to Facebook’s failings, Zuckerberg pointed to the good that has come from this massive web of digital friendships spanning the globe, from disaster relief to blood donations.

— jessica guynn, USA TODAY, "Mark Zuckerberg pledges Facebook will put 'people first,' avoid past mistakes," 1 May 2018
But prosecutor Mark Gibson told the magistrate there was no evidence to back Richter’s theory that Pell had been targeted over the church’s failings.

— rod mcguirk, BostonGlobe.com, "Pope Francis’ former finance minister faces sex abuse charges," 1 May 2018
This was typical of The Advertiser’s tone, and the editorial published last week was blunt about the newspaper’s failings.

— john eligon, New York Times, "A Lynching Memorial Forces a Reckoning for a Nation, and a Newspaper," 29 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'failing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of failing

1590

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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failing Synonyms

Phrases

feet of clay;

Synonym Discussion of failing

fault, failing, frailty, foible, vice mean an imperfection or weakness of character. fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit.

- a writer of many virtues and few faults

failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character.

- being late is a failing of mine

frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation.

- human frailties

foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy.

- an eccentric's charming foibles

vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others.