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

But California regulators and consumer watchdogs disagree with AT&T on what constitutes a reliable replacement.

— Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
OpenAI pulled its endorsement of the coding benchmark and called for a more reliable option.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 9 July 2026

Definition of reliable

Noun

The Fire Safe Council and forestry herbicide experts stressed that when herbicide is used, crews take significant precautions to protect ecosystems and communities.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Though the source of the infections has yet to be identified, experts recommend taking precautions with fresh produce and practicing good hygiene to reduce the risk of contracting the disease.

— Devika Rao, TheWeek, 9 July 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 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of fail-safe

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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