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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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
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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
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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As more state legislation is passed that weakens or eliminates longstanding fire and life safety codes, the need for young workers who are trained and passionate about reversing these trends is high.—
Jim Pauley,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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The pests set about sucking the sap from grape roots, slowly weakening them and opening wounds that invited disease.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Just don’t forget to include a personalized card with your cash gift of any amount!—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
29 Apr. 2025
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Despite the riveting plot, the author teases to PEOPLE that her main character is going to be the aspect of the novel that readers aren’t likely to forget.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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That massive battleship bow that crashes on stage, seemingly out of thin air, might put you in mind of Miss Saigon‘s helicopter or The Phantom of the Opera‘s crashing chandelier, but the visual enchantment of Stranger Things makes all those earlier productions seem downright cute.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2025
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Acharia believes that a cultural wave is about to crash down on the U.S. mainstream, similar to how Korean pop, Latin music and Afrobeats all made an impact on top 40 radio beginning in the late 2010s.—
Jason Lipshutz,
Billboard,
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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Early in the fourth quarter, White missed a 3-pointer off the top of the backboard, allowing the Magic to speed forward with the ball.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
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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He’s got a big smile and that Generation Z vibe, maybe a freshly cut fade every three to four weeks.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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