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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fail
So if the Heat do not make the 16-team playoff field (in essence by failing to advance out of the play-in tournament), the Heat would wind up with a 2025 pick in the first 14.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
An effort four years ago to remove Mason’s statue failed.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025
But for some tightness in his groin, Isak could have got in some further practice against Van Dijk in last month’s Premier League match at Anfield — a game in which Newcastle were comfortably beaten after failing to register a single shot on target.
—Mark Carey, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
Aim for Outsized Returns Given that most innovation initiatives will fail, the successful projects must generate returns that justify the overall investment.
—Jessica Mendoza, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
An effort four years ago to remove Mason’s statue failed.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025
But for some tightness in his groin, Isak could have got in some further practice against Van Dijk in last month’s Premier League match at Anfield — a game in which Newcastle were comfortably beaten after failing to register a single shot on target.
—Mark Carey, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
Aim for Outsized Returns Given that most innovation initiatives will fail, the successful projects must generate returns that justify the overall investment.
—Jessica Mendoza, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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The saxophonist in his band also died, according to manager Enrique Paulino.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
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Iconoclastic critic, art historian, and photographer Max Kozloff, who served as Artforum’s executive editor in the 1970s before turning to his own artistic practice, died on April 6.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The quake also caused a skyscraper in Bangkok, Thailand, to collapse.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
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Dramatic videos show buildings collapsing and swaying in Thailand. 4:09 A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake rattled much of Southeast Asia on Friday, resulting in mounting casualties and flattened skyscrapers from Myanmar to Thailand.—
Mark Osborne,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Others were disappointed on the teen's behalf that her dad didn't step in to support her.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
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Other company earnings also have disappointed.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 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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Don't forget to check out yesterday's Best Laptop Deal of the Day for April 15.—
Jade Chung-Lee,
PC Magazine,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But the market was crashing, posting its biggest single-day loss since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic five years earlier.—
Time,
Time,
10 Apr. 2025
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After two All-Star appearances earlier in his career, his production crashed last year with a .225/.277/.322 batting line.—
Daniel R. Epstein,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The chapter is closed on a missing book at a New Jersey library after a woman returned it nearly a century after her relative checked it out.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
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Matsuyama came close but fell short by one stroke, missing a birdie on 18 by inches.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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As the water diluted the stains, the fabric faded to a soft pink.—
Rebecca Ruth Gould,
JSTOR Daily,
9 Apr. 2025
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In the world of fashion, trends emerge and fade quickly, particularly among teenagers.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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