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

The recent breakout above it has become a failed breakout and without another attempt very quickly, this becomes a tougher hold. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026

With this freedom comes the unique ability to absorb any costs from a failed bet, and ensure that when a bold gamble pays off, the benefits are socialised globally. — James Chen, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026

The announcement comes after Mayor Jacob Frey and City Council members clashed in April over Barnette's reappointment as permanent commissioner, leading to a failed council attempt to override the mayor's veto of their vote against him. — Nicholas Lentz, CBS News, 3 Aug. 2026

The board also voted down a proposal to increase rider fares to generate between $8 million and $12 million after a lengthy discussion and multiple failed amendments aimed at trying to persuade a majority of directors to pass the motion. — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 29 July 2026

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

Support coalesced around Jackson, a former Maine Senate president and 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. — Patrick Whittle, Los Angeles Times, 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

Verb

Investigators determined that Skinner was impaired and failed to maintain his lane before crossing over the line and colliding with the CHP cruiser. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

But those meetings ultimately failed to end North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, which Kim has only grown. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Nashville strengthened its push for the Supporters’ Shield and extended its lead to 5 points over Inter Miami on a night Lionel Messi again failed to convert a penalty. — Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

California and Santa Clara County sued ICE in June, claiming federal officials skirted environmental laws, ignored local land-use restrictions and failed to consult with state or county leaders. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026

The real lesson of the Common Core was not that higher standards failed. — Michael Casserly, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Previous peace efforts between Turkey and the PKK have failed, most recently in 2015. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Jackson Parsons, founder and careers expert at My Duvet Flip, says the phenomenon doesn’t necessarily mean your vacation failed to restore you. — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

The Ford failed to turn at a curve in the road and ran off the highway to the right. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026