without fail
idiom
1
—used to stress that something always happens
Every day, without fail, he has toast and coffee for breakfast.
2
—used to stress that something will definitely happen
She promised that she would be there without fail.
Examples of without fail in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Photos: Getty Images Every summer, without fail, a fan-favorite dress emerges; a dress becomes the dress.
—
Christian Allaire, Vogue, 16 June 2025
With an early-rising 11-month-old, who, without fail, woke before our alarm buzzed each morning, sleep—let alone restful, continuous sleep—was a far-off dream.
—Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2025
Nearly every year, almost without fail, NBA fans claim a conspiracy theory about the draft lottery.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 13 May 2025
The heart can do so without fail (well, for a long time without fail) because it is composed of specialized muscle cells called cardiomyocytes that are highly resistant to fatigue.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
Then without fail, there are disappointments and surprises.
—Jim Bowden, New York Times, 14 May 2025
My mom washed her face every morning and night without fail and always wore sunscreen.
—Footwear News, 20 May 2025
If 133 sides have previously managed to protect a lead of three or more goals without fail, then Amorim’s side should really become the 134th.
—Mark Critchley, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Responsibility for communication was passed to Woodward who, people familiar with the situation say, spoke to Joel every single day, without fail, and sometimes more than once.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 May 2025
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Christian Allaire, Vogue, 16 June 2025
With an early-rising 11-month-old, who, without fail, woke before our alarm buzzed each morning, sleep—let alone restful, continuous sleep—was a far-off dream.
—Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2025
Nearly every year, almost without fail, NBA fans claim a conspiracy theory about the draft lottery.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 13 May 2025
The heart can do so without fail (well, for a long time without fail) because it is composed of specialized muscle cells called cardiomyocytes that are highly resistant to fatigue.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
Then without fail, there are disappointments and surprises.
—Jim Bowden, New York Times, 14 May 2025
My mom washed her face every morning and night without fail and always wore sunscreen.
—Footwear News, 20 May 2025
If 133 sides have previously managed to protect a lead of three or more goals without fail, then Amorim’s side should really become the 134th.
—Mark Critchley, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Responsibility for communication was passed to Woodward who, people familiar with the situation say, spoke to Joel every single day, without fail, and sometimes more than once.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Without fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/without%20fail. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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