1
as in to die
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Here’s where Baer really fails to meet the moment.
—
Jon Root Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2026
Getty Images Leviticus, 2026’s latest horror, failed to replicate the breakout success of Obsession and Backrooms in its opening weekend.
—
Sophia Morano,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
How could anyone fail to see this as an almost mystical sign?
—
Blanche Marcel,
Vanity Fair,
26 June 2026
If all else fails, consider installing mosquito screens or curtains on your porch.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fail
Jon Root Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2026
Getty Images Leviticus, 2026’s latest horror, failed to replicate the breakout success of Obsession and Backrooms in its opening weekend.
—
Sophia Morano,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
How could anyone fail to see this as an almost mystical sign?
—
Blanche Marcel,
Vanity Fair,
26 June 2026
If all else fails, consider installing mosquito screens or curtains on your porch.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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Last year, around 13,000 of a population of 17,000 elephant seal pups died there in just a few months after being exposed.
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Daveigh, best known for playing Samara Morgan in The Ring and voicing Lilo in Lilo & Stitch, died at 35, PEOPLE confirmed on Wednesday, June 17.
Verb
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Over 14 months, Safiya -- a pediatrician by training -- became one of the most prominent voices in Gaza, speaking out on social media about the strip's collapsing healthcare system.
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In mature markets like Oregon and Colorado, wholesale flower prices have collapsed dramatically.
Verb
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On the other hand, a hydrangea species that can sometimes disappoint Chicago-area gardeners is the bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), known for having big blue blooms when grown in acid soil and popular in the eastern United States.
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And then probably the thing that kept me up more at night in the beginning was not wanting to disappoint Vince.
Verb
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Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images BEIJING — China’s consumer spending slowdown persisted in June, with growth during one of the country’s largest online shopping festivals weakening sharply from a year earlier.
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All three of those protagonists have been weakened in their roles by what has gone on.
Verb
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Its origins are uncertain, with one tale suggesting that a cook at Manzanillo’s mercado left a pot of pozole over fire and forgot it.
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And don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram and TikTok, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.
Verb
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Yeah, right after a guy crashes through the roof is the perfect time to step out for a cigarette.
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That meant fewer shots on target and a lot more fouls with players crashing on the pitch repeatedly.
Verb
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My jaw is still on the floor over this can’t-miss $1 makeup deal.
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Don’t miss our guide with nearly two-dozen new bar openings across the city.
Verb
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But Rosales said that tradition was fading, possibly another casualty of a more cutthroat political climate.
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The pen barrel depicts fields of wheat that fade into plowed farmland and trees, with distant mountains rising beneath a vast open sky.
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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