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

Support has coalesced around former state Senate President Troy Jackson, a fifth-generation logger from rural northern Maine who campaigned alongside Platner during a failed bid for governor and was a favorite among progressives to replace him. — ABC News, 25 July 2026

About 40 miles south of Nashville, on a river recognized as one of the most biodiverse in the world, stand the remains of a failed dam that just won’t stay dead. — Henry Liu, Washington Post, 21 July 2026

The only country doing well at the time was energy-rich Venezuela — which today is considered a failed state. — Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

Their exchange revived a rivalry dating back to Musk's failed 2018 bid to take control of OpenAI. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 July 2026

JadePuffer went from a failed login to a working fix in 31 seconds, according to Sysdig and TechCrunch. — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

The latter was the leader of a failed uprising against the ruling Elizabeth 1, and the weeping stag was often used as a symbol adopted by the Earl’s supporters. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026

Wilde, in her third directorial offering, co-stars as a stay-at-home-mom who, to the consternation of her failed musician husband, Joe, has invited the freewheeling couple upstairs to dinner. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 7 July 2026

After the failed 2024/2025 merger, the two companies, along with Mitsubishi, have sought to collaborate in a more limited capacity and standardize electronic control units between them. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 1 July 2026

Verb

In 2025, Gill failed to the make the Minnesota Vikings’ roster out of training camp. — Mike Kaye july 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026

On June 10, the site failed another inspection, according to city records. — Zuri Primos july 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

The quarrel took him in the left shoulder near the neck, and the surgeon attending the king failed to properly remove the shaft. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Investigators allege the beatings occurred after the pledge failed to correctly answer questions about the fraternity. — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026

Chelsea failed to qualify for a European competition, but Gittens believes the extra chance to rest and prepare could be an advantage. — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 26 July 2026

But her healthcare providers failed to properly diagnose and treat her condition, the lawsuit alleges. — Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Griffin Canning allowed four runs in 3⅔ innings, marking the 10th time in the past 18 games and 24th time this season a Padres starter failed to get through five innings while allowing three or more runs. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026

In their investigation of the incident, Virginia regulators alleged The Vero had failed to assume responsibility for the health, safety, and well-being of its residents. — Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026