1
as in to die
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to collapse
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to disappoint
to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of
although the minor-league franchise continues to fail local fans, hope springs eternal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to weaken
to lose bodily strength or vigor
ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to forget
to miss the opportunity or obligation
failed to mention that he was looking for new job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fail
Traffic moving north from La Grange, with its 25 mph speed limit, tended to speed up while traffic coming south from Westchester often failed to slow from the 40 mph limit there, officials said.
—
Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025
After having pulled through a dramatic home price correction over the past couple of years, the former pandemic boomtown of Austin, Texas, is now navigating even more troubled waters, as buyers scared off by brewing economic uncertainty are failing to show up for the city's growing housing supply.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Andrews failed to secure a short pass from Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson on a two-point conversion attempt late in the fourth quarter.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Most failed to hit their targets and crashed into the ocean.
—CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025
After having pulled through a dramatic home price correction over the past couple of years, the former pandemic boomtown of Austin, Texas, is now navigating even more troubled waters, as buyers scared off by brewing economic uncertainty are failing to show up for the city's growing housing supply.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Andrews failed to secure a short pass from Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson on a two-point conversion attempt late in the fourth quarter.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Most failed to hit their targets and crashed into the ocean.
—CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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The funeral for Pope Francis, who died Monday, will take place Saturday at 4 a.m. ET in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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The fish began to die, and the tichinda, a type of mussel that sustained the community, disappeared.—
Gwendolina Duval,
Vogue,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But, as ballots were being counted, government authorities announced that the electoral system had collapsed.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
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Tommy walks through the burning town and finds Maria, collapsing into her on Main Street, which is littered with dead, human and infected both.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This is an excellent MLB matchup that will not disappoint; make sure to tune in with FuboTV to catch all the action.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
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Diaz did not disappoint, making quick work of the Cards (9-12) for his fifth save in as many tries.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Agreeing to a pick swap with the Lynx weakened the value of the pick that the Sky traded away.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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One by one, the sectors defect, and, eventually, the leader may weaken and their government may fall.—
Julia Angwin,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But do not forget to order the beloved DK bacon maple bar.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Apr. 2025
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Confirming Logistics with Moving Service Katie Weissert, sales director at Reindeer Logistics, says many people forget to confirm moving day logistics with their relocation service.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Damion Stafford, 44, eventually crashed the ATV, and a K-9 bit him on the leg to subdue him, the Cape Coral Police Department said April 21.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2025
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Mitchell said Freedom Factory's first PPV event had 75,000 concurrent viewers, which caused his website and those of the event sponsors to crash.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In two weeks, loan holders will start the process of taking money from the paychecks of borrowers who've missed their payments for 270 days or more.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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Dahmen missed a putt from inside two feet, dropping him into a tie with eventual winner Garrick Higgo.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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First, there was a drip-drip-drip of crisis: as costs everywhere rose, city, state, and federal monies faded away once COVID-era bailout efforts came to an end.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2025
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But when a new Supreme rises, the old one fades away.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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