Synonyms of failed

failed 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in unsuccessful

Related Words

• unsuccessful
• failing
• inauspicious
• collapsing
• unpromising
• no-good
• washing-out
• declining
• destroyed
• bankrupt
• folding
• hopeless
• slipping
• waning
• flopping
• futureless
• flunking
• ruined
• wrecked
• slumping
• kerflooey
• kaput

Dissimilar Words

• successful
• going
• triumphant
• promising
• prosperous
• thriving
• flourishing
• coming
• robust
• palmy
• growing
• booming
• roaring

2

as in inadequate

Related Words

• inadequate
• disappointing
• deficient
• inferior
• atrocious
• normal
• representative
• typical
• unsatisfactory
• ordinary
• average
• vile
• poor
• wretched
• execrable
• substandard
• mediocre
• bad
• low-grade
• second-class
• second-rate

Dissimilar Words

• definitive
• model
• exemplary
• quintessential
• classic
• special
• paradigmatic
• unique
• ideal
• archetypal
• perfect
• flawless
• imitable
• textbook
• impeccable
• absolute
• nonpareil

failed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of fail

1

as in died

to stop functioning

my car failed just as I was about to head to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• died
• crashed
• stalled
• broke
• cut out
• gave out
• broke down
• sputtered
• conked (out)
• fizzled
• jammed
• malfunctioned
• wheezed
• acted up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• started (up)

2

as in collapsed

to be unsuccessful

despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapsed
• flopped
• struggled
• missed
• folded
• bombed
• flunked
• declined
• foundered
• struck out
• tanked
• came up empty
• fell short
• fell flat
• cratered
• crashed
• came to grief
• laid an egg
• washed out
• flamed out
• slipped
• came a cropper
• died on the vine
• floundered
• slumped
• skidded
• fell on one's face
• waned
• crumbled
• misfired
• sank
• miscarried
• imploded
• went under
• self-destructed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• succeeded
• went
• delivered
• worked out
• clicked
• went over
• came off
• flourished
• thrived
• cooked
• prospered
• won
• prevailed
• panned out
• triumphed

3

as in disappointed

to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of

although the minor-league franchise continues to fail local fans, hope springs eternal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disappointed
• dissatisfied
• let down
• upset
• cheated
• displeased
• deceived
• disillusioned
• distressed
• chagrined
• discontented
• disenchanted
• disgruntled
• deluded
• mocked
• bummed (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfied
• gratified
• fulfilled
• contented
• gladdened

4

as in weakened

to lose bodily strength or vigor

ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakened
• faded
• went
• sagged
• sank
• lagged
• deteriorated
• flagged
• decayed
• withered
• drooped
• wasted (away)
• languished
• wilted
• emaciated
• yielded
• broke down
• degenerated
• rotted
• wore out
• ran down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recovered
• rallied
• rebounded
• recuperated
• gained
• convalesced

5

as in forgot

to miss the opportunity or obligation

failed to mention that he was looking for new job

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forgot
• neglected
• omitted
• ignored
• missed out on
• disregarded
• passed over
• defaulted
• skipped
• slipped
• overlooked
• slid
• pretermitted
• overpassed
• slighted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remembered
• did
• observed
• kept
• performed
• executed
• carried out
• heeded
• practiced
• met
• satisfied
• fulfilled
• minded
• discharged
• complied (with)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of failed

Adjective

An investor sees the breadth divergence, watches the failed breakouts and notices the heavier down-volume, but then waits for a headline to confirm what the price data has already said. — Thomas Hartmann, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Experts said the failed bid underscores the headwinds Chinese companies – even non-tech firms – have to navigate in today’s geopolitical climate. — John Liu, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

All his administration mustered was a late, failed effort in the summer of 2020 to remove 12,000 troops from Germany. — Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026

In addition, strain sensors in the build plate arm monitor the suction forces of each layer and can detect when there’s no suction and alert you to a failed print. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

After about 50 more failed attempts, the Oswalt Perfect Game Attempt Counter clicked to 1,993. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

After two failed engagements, Taylor took her final trip down the aisle in 1991. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Aug. 2026

Advertisement In my case, one declared goal—even a failed one—led to another. — Adrian Gore, Time, 17 Aug. 2026

And there are opponents of that movement who point to the failed socialist governments in Latin American is proof that socialism doesn't always work. — CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

Verb

The Cowboys’ roster revamp failed miserably in its debut against Tulsa. — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

The explosion was ultimately blamed on an O-ring that failed in one the shuttle’s solid rocket boosters, allowing a flame to pierce the external fuel tank. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

With Sunday’s loss, the second-place Yankees (81-62) failed to gain a game on the first-place Rays (85-58), who fell to the Rangers earlier in the day. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026

Breakker failed to dispatch Seth Rollins and only became a tag team champion after Logan Paul got hurt. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026

The Braves failed to capitalize on a prime scoring opportunity in the first inning, then were quieted by Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler in a 4-2 loss Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 6 Sep. 2026

Brooks added that economic data releases that indicate weaker activity have failed to bring down long-term yields, unlike the historical pattern, revealing how much upward pressure is coming from the market. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026

The dam failed, triggering a catastrophic flood and contributing to failures at other dams downstream. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026

Critically, the owner of the footage failed to show any impact on the market for the footage and in fact had never licensed the footage for compensation. — Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026