as in reliable
not likely to fail
flowers have been traditionally regarded as the fail-safe gift for Valentine's Day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in precaution
a measure taken to preclude loss or injury
there are so many fail-safes built into the system that a highly unlikely series of mistakes would have to be made before failure could occur
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fail-safe
Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Nov. 2025
For a fail-safe choice, go for a white fabric liner constructed of polyester, canvas, or other natural fiber iterations (that are either mildew-resistant, water-repellent, and/or machine washable).
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2023
Shop Now 10 Navy Blue In areas with strict historic guidelines, navy blue is often a fail-safe.
—Elle Decor Editors, ELLE Decor, 17 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for fail-safe
Adjective
At this time, there is no fail-safe way for creators to determine if AI companies have used their work to train models, which can violate copyrights of the works of countless artists.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Nov. 2025
For a fail-safe choice, go for a white fabric liner constructed of polyester, canvas, or other natural fiber iterations (that are either mildew-resistant, water-repellent, and/or machine washable).
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
Noun
The idea was to make bank oversight both stricter and more fail-safe.
—Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2023
Shop Now 10 Navy Blue In areas with strict historic guidelines, navy blue is often a fail-safe.
—Elle Decor Editors, ELLE Decor, 17 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for fail-safe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail-safe
Adjective
-
This makes vocal communication a reliable way — if not the only way — for dolphins to maintain contact with one another, especially when traveling, hunting or navigating social situations.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
When economic conditions feel unstable, gold is often viewed as a safe and reliable investment.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This weekend a massive winter storm could affect roughly half of the American population, so people with pets should take precautions to keep them safe.—
Jen Reeder,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Even light amounts of wintry precipitation or patchy blowing snow will cause slick conditions and could affect travel if precautions are not taken.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Selecting pieces with similar upholstery is also a surefire way to create cohesion, so if the rest of your furniture accents are upholstered in bouclé, this bench is a no-brainer.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
8 Jan. 2026
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While these tips can mitigate symptoms, there is no surefire way to prevent them altogether.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Padlocks, sickles and other objects made of iron, a metal said to possess anti-demonic powers, were stashed in the grave as preventives.—
Franz Lidz,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2023
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But although human vaccines function primarily as preventives, offering immunity to animals such as black-footed ferrets can be a conservation strategy of last resort.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2023
Adjective
-
But the markets weren’t, as Coplan suggested, infallible as forecasts.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Holding the two halves together builds something that neither half could make alone, and treating either as infallible turns them into engines for manufacturing enemies and alienating friends.—
Robert T.F. Downes,
Hartford Courant,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fail-safe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail-safe. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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