FAIL-SAFE Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

fail-safe 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfāl-ˌsāf

Definition of fail-safe

as in reliable

not likely to fail flowers have been traditionally regarded as the fail-safe gift for Valentine's Day

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fail-safe

2 of 2

noun

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

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.

Recent Examples of fail-safe

Adjective

Adding even a blandly effective, third-pair option would be a playoff nice fail-safe. — Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026 This suggests gaps in contingency planning and basic fail-safe design. — Missy Cummings, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Mar. 2026

Noun

Trump’s fail-safe failed to safe. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026 This fail-safe can help, so don’t ignore a warning. — Jason Fogelson, AJC.com, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fail-safe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail-safe

Adjective

His contact balance, patience, one-cut burst and reliable hands are quite appealing.

— Brad Evans, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
As an alternative to Starlink, the Ukrainians have rushed to develop reliable drones equipped with AI, which offer a way to get around Russia’s counter-drone defenses.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of reliable

Noun

The incident comes as Colorado experiences a sharp increase in bear activity fueled by poor natural food conditions, prompting officials to urge people to take extra precautions during the busy late-summer season.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Right guard Trey Smith missed multiple practices with a hip injury and was sent to a specialist as a precaution, forcing Benson to shift inside while Moore moved to right tackle, Sweeney reported on Day 9.

— Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of precaution

Adjective

If Quaintance had been fully healthy for Kentucky, there’s a world where the 6-9 big man with a 7-5 wingspan might have been a surefire lottery selection.

— Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 20 June 2026
If this sounds familiar, that’s because this is a surefire case of de ja vu.

— Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Definition of surefire

Noun

In addition to making anti-vaccine comments, Kennedy also downplayed pediatric deaths related to measles and touted false cures and preventives, such as the use of vitamin A.

— Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 June 2026
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

Definition of preventive

Browse Nearby Words

fails

fail-safe

fail-safes

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Fail-safe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail-safe. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of fail-safe

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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