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
In addition to revoking licenses from already-working nurses, the Florida board can stop recent graduates from taking the NCLEX, if members decide their school has failed to meet the state’s nursing education requirements.
—
Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Earlier this year, Jennifer Lawrence remained on the best-actress bubble for 2025 Cannes title Die, My Love, and Ari Aster’s divisive COVID-era Western, Eddington, also failed to garner any Academy support.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
However, Green failed to appear in a game during his stint in the NFC East.
—Mike Kaye
may 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2026
Similar efforts in New York and Washington state failed to pass.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fail
Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Earlier this year, Jennifer Lawrence remained on the best-actress bubble for 2025 Cannes title Die, My Love, and Ari Aster’s divisive COVID-era Western, Eddington, also failed to garner any Academy support.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
However, Green failed to appear in a game during his stint in the NFC East.
—Mike Kaye
may 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2026
Similar efforts in New York and Washington state failed to pass.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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Another hiker died on the same trail one week earlier after falling down a ravine, though officials haven’t clarified whether injuries or illness caused his death.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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One of the owners told officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that 31 other sloths, from Guyana and Peru, had died — either on the way to the attraction or after arriving and being stored over cold nights in a building with no heat or running water.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Verb
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In 1980, 35 people were killed when a freighter rammed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay in Florida, causing a 1,300-foot section of the southbound span to collapse.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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And today, for the time being, the regime has collapsed totally.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Asked to pitch in a high-leverage situation for the first time in a while, Camilo Doval disappointed on Saturday.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
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Shakira Austin made four free throws down the stretch and the Washington Mystics held on to beat the expansion Tempo 68-65 on Friday night, disappointing a sellout crowd of 8,210 at Coca-Cola Coliseum.—
Ian Harrison,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The deeper the rifts between the United States and Europe over Iran, the greater the chances of weakening the NATO alliance.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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During his appearances on Capitol Hill this month, Secretary Kennendy was grilled about the administration's defense of the pesticide industry and weakening of protections against mercury pollution, another issue that Kennedy had worked on as an advocate.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wilson has almost been forgotten and could make the difference.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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Bianca is her oldest and people forget that sometimes, caught up in the Jayden story.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Hundreds of passengers’ plans were derailed on Wednesday when a train crashed into a tanker truck on Colorado’s Western Slope, damaging the tracks — but not just those on board were affected.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
7 May 2026
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However, in the wild, the algae are the ocean’s introverts, and only glow when they are bothered, like jolted by a crashing wave or the hull of a passing boat.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Verb
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If catchers, pitchers, or hitters believed an umpire missed a call, they were suddenly allowed to challenge it.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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The one big missing piece was seeing her team finally capture an elusive state championship.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The practice didn’t fade with the modern age; women across generations have kept it alive.—
Boutheina Ben Salem,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
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After the rogue’s gallery is introduced early on, nearly everyone except for Tim, Elliot, and Rebecca fades into the background, although delightfully, Emma Thompson nails her brief comedic role as a brusque solicitor handling George’s last will and testament.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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