1
as in dies
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 collapses
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disappoints
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 weakens
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 forgets
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 fails
But, elsewhere in Cook County, property taxes are what school districts must turn to when the state fails to support public education at the level most other states do.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Then, an ultrasound mid-way through pregnancy showed that her baby had anencephaly, a fatal condition in which the skull fails to develop properly.
—CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
The parachute system is designed to bring a crew safely back to Earth if one drogue or one main parachute fails to inflate.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
After 44 days of gridlock, Congress fails to end the Department of Homeland Security’s shutdown.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
Then, an ultrasound midway through pregnancy showed that her baby had anencephaly, a fatal condition in which the skull fails to develop properly.
—Jonel Aleccia, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
If a November ballot measure to increase sales tax funding fails and no new revenue becomes available, the agency is bracing for drastic cuts and fare increases.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
The Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro is a specialized work tablet engineered to thrive in demanding environments where standard tech often fails.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 Mar. 2026
If that fails, there's room down toward the $260 200-day.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Then, an ultrasound mid-way through pregnancy showed that her baby had anencephaly, a fatal condition in which the skull fails to develop properly.
—CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
The parachute system is designed to bring a crew safely back to Earth if one drogue or one main parachute fails to inflate.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
After 44 days of gridlock, Congress fails to end the Department of Homeland Security’s shutdown.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
Then, an ultrasound midway through pregnancy showed that her baby had anencephaly, a fatal condition in which the skull fails to develop properly.
—Jonel Aleccia, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
If a November ballot measure to increase sales tax funding fails and no new revenue becomes available, the agency is bracing for drastic cuts and fare increases.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
The Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro is a specialized work tablet engineered to thrive in demanding environments where standard tech often fails.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 Mar. 2026
If that fails, there's room down toward the $260 200-day.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fails
Verb
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Not everyone dies, but there are innocent victims every day.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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The socialite is now a bailiff, Orsolya Ionescu (Eszter Tompa), who has a husband and three children, none of whom, mercifully, dies; the plight of the young and comfortable is not Jude’s concern.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As the operation collapses into violence and betrayal his only way out is to keep flying.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
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The heavier, denser snow brought about by the abundant moisture in the air make catastrophic roof collapses more likely, Tachibana said.—
Junko Ogura,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This nostalgic recipe never disappoints.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
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Sales grow, but outlook disappoints The strength area of the new Planet Fitness at 226 Harvard Avenue in Allston.—
Brandon Gomez,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the state’s view, that weakens or muddies the legal boundary between the two types of gambling venues.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Justice delayed weakens deterrence.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But this is also another layer of always-on surveillance that never forgets and never gives you the benefit of the doubt.—
Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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An adult who constantly misses deadlines, forgets important obligations and feels chronically overwhelmed might be dealing with workplace burnout, a severe anxiety disorder or undiagnosed ADHD.—
Deldhy Nicolás Moya Sánchez,
The Conversation,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Unfortunately, Omnissa’s data didn’t detail exactly how many crashes both Windows and Mac computers suffered in absolute terms, only that Windows came in behind Macs.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
28 Mar. 2026
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For the second time this week, a delivery robot crashes into a bus shelter, this time on the city's Near North Side.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Since her ordeal Terranova is involved as a volunteer with the American Heart Association and never misses a chance to tell her story in hopes that even one person can be helped.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
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But Panagiotou argues that this framing misses a deeper layer of strategic importance.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Gorman's family said earlier this week that her murder cannot be a case that fades from public attention.—
Lauren Victory,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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As the Labubu frenzy fades, HSBC last month trimmed its revenue growth forecast for Pop Mart this year from around 30% to under 24%, and expects a 11% to 13% cut in 2026-2027 earnings.—
Elaine Yu,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fails. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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