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fail

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of fail

1 to stop functioning
  • my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms of fail

break, break down, conk (out), crash, cut out, die, give out, stall
Words Related to fail

fizzle, sputter, wheeze

act up, malfunction

jam
Antonyms of fail

start (up)
2 to be unsuccessful
  • despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms of fail

bomb, collapse, crater, flame out, flop, flunk, fold, founder, miss, strike out, tank, wash out
Words Related to fail

flounder, struggle

decline, sink, skid, slip, slump, wane

crash, crumble, miscarry, misfire

go under

implode, self-destruct
Phrases Synonymous with fail

come a cropper, come to grief, come up empty, die on the vine, fall flat, fall on one's face, fall short, lay an egg
Near Antonyms of fail

cook, flourish, prosper, thrive

prevail, triumph, win
Antonyms of fail

click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, succeed, work out
3 to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of
  • although the minor-league franchise continues to fail local fans, hope springs eternal
Synonyms of fail

cheat, disappoint, dissatisfy, let down
Words Related to fail

bum (out), chagrin, discontent, disgruntle, displease, distress, upset

disenchant, disillusion

deceive, delude, mock
Near Antonyms of fail

fulfill (or fulfil)

gladden
Antonyms of fail

content, gratify, satisfy
4 to lose bodily strength or vigor
  • ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing
Synonyms of fail

decay, droop, emaciate, fade, flag, go, lag, languish, sag, sink, waste (away), weaken, wilt, wither
Words Related to fail

break down, wear out

yield

degenerate, deteriorate, rot, run down
Near Antonyms of fail

convalesce, rally, rebound, recover, recuperate

gain
5 to miss the opportunity or obligation
  • failed to mention that he was looking for new job
Synonyms of fail

forget, neglect, omit
Words Related to fail

disregard, ignore, overlook, overpass, pass over, pretermit, slight

slide, slip

default

skip
Phrases Synonymous with fail

miss out on
Near Antonyms of fail

heed, mind, remember

keep, observe

carry out, do, execute, perform, practice (also practise)

discharge, fulfill (or fulfil), meet, satisfy

comply (with)

Learn More about fail

  1. See words that rhyme with fail Dictionary: Definition of fail Medical Dictionary: Definition of fail Spanish Central: Translation of fail Nglish: Translation of fail for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fail for Arabic speakers

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