Choose the Right Synonym for failing

Noun

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. compulsive gambling was his vice

Examples of failing in a Sentence

Noun He has some minor failings. we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night Preposition Failing progress in the peace process, war seems likely.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun This difference might explain what is by far the song’s biggest moral failing. — Jack Butler, National Review, "‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ Yes — So Stop Singing," 24 Dec. 2020 Any failing can be used against them to remove their children or delay reunification. — USA Today, "Her memory of the midnight attack was muddled, but her battered body bore the story.," 17 Dec. 2020 Perhaps the greatest failing of the American media this year has been a widespread neglect to put Covid risks in the context of other risks to human health—including risks created by the myopic focus on Covid. — James Freeman, WSJ, "Covid Out of Context," 20 Nov. 2020 Manne made in the earlier work: that misogyny is best understood not as a personal failing but as a cultural system that keeps women in their place. — The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, "The 15 Best Books of 2020," 24 Dec. 2020 That's not necessarily a failing, since Monster Hunter isn't pretending to be Tolkien. — Christian Holub, EW.com, "Monster Hunter is a CGI battlefest and nothing more: Review," 16 Dec. 2020 If a school receives enough consecutive failing grades, the state can move to close the campus or even intervene in a district. — Emily Donaldson, Dallas News, "Texas cancels A-F accountability grades for schools, keeps STAAR for students," 10 Dec. 2020 Still, Williams said that even if every single failing identified in the report did not occur, the department still would have not been able to prevent rioting or firing munitions into the crowd. — Cory Shaffer, cleveland, "Cleveland’s review of police response to May 30 protest highlights officers’ confusion and mismanagement, sidesteps criticism of use of force," 4 Dec. 2020 But Thornton Tomasetti, an engineering firm hired to assess the telescope, said the likelihood of another cable failing was too high to justify repair work. — Maria Cramer New York Times, Star Tribune, "Arecibo telescope in Puerto Rico collapses," 1 Dec. 2020

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.