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
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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
One other common mistake is failing to prune your tomato plants.
—
Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 12 June 2026
The Iberia pilot said the engine had failed to start after Leo had boarded.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
If Iran failed to uphold its obligations, the official said, Israel would be expected to respond.
—Nik Popli, Time, 12 June 2026
Even rain failed to slow the enthusiasm.
—J.m. Banks
june 12, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fail
Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 12 June 2026
The Iberia pilot said the engine had failed to start after Leo had boarded.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
If Iran failed to uphold its obligations, the official said, Israel would be expected to respond.
—Nik Popli, Time, 12 June 2026
Even rain failed to slow the enthusiasm.
—J.m. Banks
june 12, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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Australia's only other fatal shark attack this year occurred in January, when a 12-year-old boy died in a hospital days after he was mauled by a bull shark in Sydney Harbor.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
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In January, a 12-year-old also died a week after he was attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbor.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
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After the battle, Picard’s battery supported the push from the Roer River to the Rhine as Germany’s western front collapsed.—
Kevin Maurer,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
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The same logic applies when AI collapses the price of services that American workers produce.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Lucero’s attorney in the criminal case, Chloe Gleichman with the Colorado Legal Defense Group, said in a statement Tuesday she is disappointed by the outcome of the trial.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
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Jetsetting college grads need a reliable carry-on to bring on flights, and this popular spinner bag doesn’t disappoint.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Over the course of two summers, the Kings weakened the fulcrum of their roster by losing Matt Roy and Vladislav Gavrikov in free agency, then exacerbating matters by casting off Jordan Spence for a modest return.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
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The acid can etch, discolor, or weaken stone and concrete.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Reading from Beloved’s final, stunning page, Namwali and Vinson trace how Morrison imbues meaning on the level of syntax and crafts her words into a story that cannot be forgotten.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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Long forgotten – with tools, a mine car and tracks still inside – the entrance was later rediscovered and opened in the 1990s as an attraction and RV park.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Officials say at Alexander Avenue and Route 347 in Saint James, Smith sped through a red light, traveling about 70 mph, and crashed into Espinosa's car.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
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Video of the crash shared with the Statesman showed the airplanes colliding, spinning together and crashing to the ground in a fiery explosion.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
Verb
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In May, the National Park Service said a man who went missing while hiking in Glacier National Park in Montana was killed by a bear in what authorities believe to be the first deadly bear attack at the park since 1998.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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Fifteen of those nations have missed the last three tournaments, 12 the past four World Cups.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Members of the organizations explained that the numerous legal and regulatory actions are not fading away once SpaceX goes public, but are likely to escalate and become bigger risks to investors, pension fund holders and other members of the financial community.—
Ashley Capoot,CJ Haddad,Samantha Subin,Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
12 June 2026
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Hackman plays a chess-loving private investigator tasked with finding the 16-year-old daughter (Melanie Griffith, in her film debut) of a fading actress.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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