1
as in unsuccessful
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in inadequate
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in died
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in collapsed
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in forgot
to miss the opportunity or obligation
failed to mention that he was looking for new job
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of failed
Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 13 May 2026
Miami’s past holds surprising stories of ambition and reinvention, from a Bulgarian artist wrapping islands in pink fabric to a failed bid to become the film capital of the world.
—Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
After her failed coup, Emily is poised for redemption and a rebrand…at Coach.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 May 2026
Details vary from region to region, but generally speaking, a kuntilanak was, in life, a woman who died during pregnancy or labor without successfully giving birth to a child (a failed mother, in short).
—Literary Hub, 5 May 2026
The professional athlete, in total, has had four D&Cs, a surgical procedure often performed after a miscarriage during which the cervix is dilated so that abnormal tissue can be removed from the uterine lining, per Johns Hopkins Medicine, six failed IVF transfers and eight egg retrievals.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Coleman suffered from congenital, progressive kidney disease throughout his life and underwent two failed transplants.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Besides Senator Niello's failed bill, there are several other proposals still alive seeking to revamp the elderly parole program.
—Steve Large, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
DeSantis had backed a failed bill that also sought to require health care practitioners who administer vaccines to offer parents an alternative vaccine schedule and to provide parents with information about the benefits and risks at the time of vaccination.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Cerys Jones, New York Times, 21 May 2026
The country is going through its worst economic and energy crisis in several decades, mainly the result of years of mismanagement, failed economic policies and corruption.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Trump had pledged to endorse after Cornyn failed to reach the 50%-plus threshold to win the primary outright.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 20 May 2026
The criticism comes as MacDonough has determined that security funding for the White House complex, including the under-construction ballroom, failed to comply with reconciliation rules and would not be able to skirt a filibuster with the rest of the measure.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2026
Investigators believe the parents failed to alert hospital staff after seeing the infant in medical distress.
—Joe Brandt, CBS News, 20 May 2026
The two no longer share much passion together, and Paulette mostly sees Henri as a loser who failed at several business ventures before arriving in Vichy and trying to make a name for himself.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
However, Baldwin’s Conservatives were in a far weaker position, having failed to win a majority at the recent election.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 13 May 2026
That’s the first time in three years wages failed to outpace prices.
—Lee Williamson, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Adjective
But generally speaking, no matter the artist’s gender, most songs talk about relationships, many times failed ones, yet women will fill the rooms of men singing about those topics, and the opposite is not necessarily true—especially not in Lily’s case where her lyrics cut like razors.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 13 May 2026
Miami’s past holds surprising stories of ambition and reinvention, from a Bulgarian artist wrapping islands in pink fabric to a failed bid to become the film capital of the world.
—Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
After her failed coup, Emily is poised for redemption and a rebrand…at Coach.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 May 2026
Details vary from region to region, but generally speaking, a kuntilanak was, in life, a woman who died during pregnancy or labor without successfully giving birth to a child (a failed mother, in short).
—Literary Hub, 5 May 2026
The professional athlete, in total, has had four D&Cs, a surgical procedure often performed after a miscarriage during which the cervix is dilated so that abnormal tissue can be removed from the uterine lining, per Johns Hopkins Medicine, six failed IVF transfers and eight egg retrievals.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Coleman suffered from congenital, progressive kidney disease throughout his life and underwent two failed transplants.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Besides Senator Niello's failed bill, there are several other proposals still alive seeking to revamp the elderly parole program.
—Steve Large, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
DeSantis had backed a failed bill that also sought to require health care practitioners who administer vaccines to offer parents an alternative vaccine schedule and to provide parents with information about the benefits and risks at the time of vaccination.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
Garnacho has had far more opportunities and failed to make an impact.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 21 May 2026
The country is going through its worst economic and energy crisis in several decades, mainly the result of years of mismanagement, failed economic policies and corruption.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Trump had pledged to endorse after Cornyn failed to reach the 50%-plus threshold to win the primary outright.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 20 May 2026
The criticism comes as MacDonough has determined that security funding for the White House complex, including the under-construction ballroom, failed to comply with reconciliation rules and would not be able to skirt a filibuster with the rest of the measure.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2026
Investigators believe the parents failed to alert hospital staff after seeing the infant in medical distress.
—Joe Brandt, CBS News, 20 May 2026
The two no longer share much passion together, and Paulette mostly sees Henri as a loser who failed at several business ventures before arriving in Vichy and trying to make a name for himself.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
However, Baldwin’s Conservatives were in a far weaker position, having failed to win a majority at the recent election.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 13 May 2026
That’s the first time in three years wages failed to outpace prices.
—Lee Williamson, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failed
Adjective
-
Investigators said that an initial PIT maneuver was unsuccessful, but a second one caused the truck to crash into another vehicle and roll over onto its side – an incident that was caught on home surveillance video.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
Jeremy Brandon Johnson, 53, of Eveleth, was pronounced dead at the scene after lifesaving measures were unsuccessful.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
The children were processed in tents before being taken to emergency shelters run by the Department of Health and Human Services, some of which were criticized by child welfare advocates as having inadequate conditions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
In a separate study, Perez recently found that evidence showing that depression scales hold steady across other features, such as gender and culture, is inadequate.—
Simon Makin,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The family had told her that everyone in the apartment had died—Samih, too, had succumbed to his wounds—but not that Zahra’s body was still missing.—
Rania Abouzeid,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
-
Two and a half years after Perry died, a June 5 auction will be offering 130 lots of his personal effects, with the proceeds going to his addiction and substance abuse foundation.—
Andy Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Although Detroit collapsed in the second round, the front office’s confidence in Bickerstaff, who signed a contract extension the day after the Pistons ousted the Orlando Magic in the first round, hasn’t wavered.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Decker collapsed during a training exercise on Thursday afternoon in the 6600 block of North Kedzie Avenue in West Rogers Park.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
McGregor, the most popular fighter in UFC history whose rumors of a return have disappointed fans for years, will return July 11 to face fan favorite Max Holloway at UFC 329 in the main event of International Fight Week.—
Mark Puleo,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
What To Do Hit The Beaches You won't be disappointed with the list of activities Cape San Blas's beaches offer.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
However, when the researchers adjusted the findings for other factors that can affect risk for the conditions, known as confounders — such as genetic and familial influences and the reasons for taking antidepressants — most links significantly weakened or disappeared.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
Starmer’s authority weakened after Labor’s poor performance in recent elections, blamed on policy missteps, economic struggles, and the prime minister’s controversial decisions, including appointing an ambassador with ties to Jeffrey Epstein.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
My writing group forgot my birthday.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
Luna forgot to schedule any staff on opening day.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.—
Noah Alcala Bach,
San Antonio Express-News,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failed. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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