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
Traditional fabrication methods often fail to maintain nanoscale uniformity in lithium electrode production.
—
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
For four hours, multiple rescue attempts failed.
—Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The goal is clearly to emulate a series like Slow Horses or The Americans, yet all that attention paid to what the Talamasca does wrong only amplifies how the show fails to sketch a genuine identity for the group.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2025
Boise State failed to capitalized, though, with Madsen throwing an awful interception to Nevada’s Bishop Turner on the very next play.
—Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
For four hours, multiple rescue attempts failed.
—Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The goal is clearly to emulate a series like Slow Horses or The Americans, yet all that attention paid to what the Talamasca does wrong only amplifies how the show fails to sketch a genuine identity for the group.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2025
Boise State failed to capitalized, though, with Madsen throwing an awful interception to Nevada’s Bishop Turner on the very next play.
—Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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The baby, who initially made good progress after the surgery, died 20 days later.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The medical examiner on Friday determined that the student died by suicide.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Paul Taylor What the data says Forest’s Champions League push collapsed last season after wasteful finishing, and that profligacy has carried over into the new campaign.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Shortly after their conversation, Forrest learned Phoenix had collapsed and was seizing on the sidewalk outside of the nightclub.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This Christmas, 8 year-olds may be disappointed for another reason.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
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Fans certainly won’t be disappointed in the show or the 50th anniversary set list that is for sure.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, leaving grass too long over the winter can shade the soil and weaken the grass.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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In addition to the GOP leaders, most rank-and-file Senate Republicans also oppose repealing the filibuster that’s been slowly weakened by both parties in recent decades for Executive Branch and judicial nominees.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But will bringing back David Arquette, Neve Campbell, and other legacy actors be enough to make audiences forget about Melissa Barrera’s firing?—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
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When vacuuming, don’t forget small spaces under the oven, between the counter and fridge, and areas under furniture that are likely to trap dirt.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Weeks later, witnesses saw two women crash and abandon his car in Volusia County.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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But Septime Webre’s choreography is supposed to have the air of wild and sometimes frenzied social dancing, of Charlestons and Fox Trots and Black Bottoms, of indulging the glorious excesses of the 1920s before the greedier side of the American Dream comes crashing down a few years later.—
David Lyman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Investigators also noted a paper dinner napkin found near his body and that Antonio used dentures that were missing, per court documents.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Fryderyk Chopin, a 25-year-old composer and darling of the Parisian elite, does not miss a single important event in the country.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mankinlu Maple Leaf Solar Pathway Lights As daylight starts to fade earlier, these cute pathway lights add both charm and function to your yard.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
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The Trail Blazers faded in the fourth quarter en route to a 118-114 loss to the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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