fail-safes

noun

plural of fail-safe
as in precautions
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

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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-safes Over time, the dismantling and neglect of these regulatory fail-safes jacked up rural food distribution costs and allowed big grocers to get even bigger. — Michelle Miller, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2026 Deeper studies of such events can help manufacturers implement fail-safes to protect solar panels in the future. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026 The team also developed numerous fail-safes to ensure consistent, trustworthy performance. — IEEE Spectrum, 26 Sep. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail-safes
  1. precautions
  2. safeguards
Noun
  • Many are showing a new openness to vaccines, while members of the general public also are taking extra precautions.
    — Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • But Stephens cited safety precautions for the new ban, which only governs EV chargers within parking garages and basements.
    — Christopher Placek, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of precautions
Noun
  • Yet despite putting safeguards in place, including linking a listing to a fine or a conviction, and building in an appeal and a process for removing people added in error, the bill has repeatedly failed to be passed by Congress.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Fourth, biometric records should not be sold or repurposed for marketing or unrelated surveillance; necessary service providers should face strict limits and safeguards.
    — Burak Oktenli, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of safeguards

Browse Nearby Words

fail-safe
fail-safes
fails (at)
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Cite this Entry

“Fail-safes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail-safes. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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