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
Jenny Barchfield, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
His fail-safe designs made Valentino the king of the red carpet, the go-to man for A-listers' awards ceremony needs.
—CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
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
His fail-safe designs made Valentino the king of the red carpet, the go-to man for A-listers’ awards ceremony needs.
—Jenny Barchfield, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
His fail-safe designs made Valentino the king of the red carpet, the go-to man for A-listers' awards ceremony needs.
—CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fail-safe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail-safe
Adjective
-
Affordable yet reliable, the JBL Vibe Beam wireless earbuds are terrific for listening to your favorite tunes while commuting, hiking, exercising or at the beach.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
However, there is a reliable method for keeping crows out of your yard and letting the others live in peace.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in mitigating the risk of wildfires during these perilous conditions.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The versatility of the bandana is a surefire way to amp up any outfit.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Heck, Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić is averaging a triple-double this season and still isn’t a surefire lock for the league’s Most Valuable Player.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
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
-
Note that mmWave tech isn’t infallible, however.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Trump remains popular among his base and remarkably infallible in the eyes of his loyalist administration and still commands extraordinary deference from many leaders in his party.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fail-safe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail-safe. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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