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comes to grief

phrase

present tense third-person singular of come to grief
1
as in collapses
to be unsuccessful His plans came to grief after a series of unforeseen setbacks.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in falls short
to go wrong The expedition came to grief in the vast frozen expanse.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for comes to grief
  1. falls short
  2. falls flat
Phrase
  • However, sources told Reuters that the settlement includes the creation of independent editorial boards for CNN and CBS and also stipulates a $30 million penalty per film if Paramount falls short of its pledge to release 30 movies annually.
    — Lillian Rizzo,Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026
  • When that falls short, Liliom’s life quickly devolves, leaving audiences to wonder if bad deeds are a question of character or circumstance.
    — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of falls short
Phrase
  • But the fantasy-death quiz falls flat and feels more like a second defeat than a comedy tag.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Then there’s the dubious CGI, which falls flat compared with the practical stunt work and effects that gave the first three films so much of their tactile charm.
    — Frank DeRuggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of falls flat
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

comes to
comes to grief
comes to grips with
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Cite this Entry

“Comes to grief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comes%20to%20grief. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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