FAIL (AT) Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

fail (at)

verb

Definition of fail (at)

as in to fall short (of)

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail (at)

miss

Verb

Scientists can now examine sections of DNA that were once inaccessible and detect forms of genetic variation that older methods may have missed.

— Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
In other words, my comparison of FEWOCiOUS to Peter Saul probably misses the point.

— Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of miss

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

fail

fail (at)

failed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fail (at).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail%20%28at%29. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of fail (at)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

tittle

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 2

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes