1
as in unsuccessful
Related Words
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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
Helena Carpio, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
By further taxing its billionaires, California would be falling into the same tempting but failed policy.
—Mariana Trujillo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
By comparison, Brownsberger said the mayor’s plan, by way of Rush’s failed amendment, does not target tax relief to the most vulnerable homeowners.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
If investors now demonstrate a willingness to buy at higher prices, this most recent bounce has the potential to last longer than previous failed attempts.
—Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
This allowed engineers to not only access the failed TBM but also recover the tunnel project.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
Many fans, some of whom weren’t exactly thrilled Joseph was back after a failed two-season stint as Denver’s head coach just a few years earlier, were already calling for his exit.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Venezuela was not simply a failed state.
—Duncan S. Demarsh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Lavery’s protagonist in Meeting New People is an acerbic older woman named Barbara, who is trying to optimize her next and potentially last friendship by analyzing what went wrong with failed best friendships in the past.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026
But shares slid Wednesday evening as Azure failed to deliver meaningful growth upside.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
In a news conference on Monday night, Miami Gardens Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt revealed the investigation has indicated campus security guards may have seen the suspect enter FMU’s campus and pursue the victim but failed to intervene, according to CBS News Miami.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The presidential couple’s spectacular downfall follows Yoon’s failed martial law decree in December 2024, which led to his impeachment and removal from office.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Notably at the time, Apple failed to issue an iOS 18 alternative for reluctant upgraders.
—Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Krueger said that the initial bidder on Springfield Hospital, which closed in 2022, failed to close the sale of the property.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
In the r/AlamoDrafthouse subreddit, one user described issues at the Lake Highlands location in Dallas, writing that the system failed to validate their credit card and required staff assistance.
—Katey Psencik, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
That proposal failed 3-4 with Zepeda, Brown and Vice Mayor Doria Robinson in support.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Some experts now describe parts of the country as a failed state.
—Helena Carpio, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
By further taxing its billionaires, California would be falling into the same tempting but failed policy.
—Mariana Trujillo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
By comparison, Brownsberger said the mayor’s plan, by way of Rush’s failed amendment, does not target tax relief to the most vulnerable homeowners.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
If investors now demonstrate a willingness to buy at higher prices, this most recent bounce has the potential to last longer than previous failed attempts.
—Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
This allowed engineers to not only access the failed TBM but also recover the tunnel project.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
Many fans, some of whom weren’t exactly thrilled Joseph was back after a failed two-season stint as Denver’s head coach just a few years earlier, were already calling for his exit.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Venezuela was not simply a failed state.
—Duncan S. Demarsh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Lavery’s protagonist in Meeting New People is an acerbic older woman named Barbara, who is trying to optimize her next and potentially last friendship by analyzing what went wrong with failed best friendships in the past.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
In the third lawsuit, a federal judge in Miami last summer ordered the facility to wind down operations over two months because officials had failed to do a review of the detention center's environmental impact.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026
But shares slid Wednesday evening as Azure failed to deliver meaningful growth upside.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
In a news conference on Monday night, Miami Gardens Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt revealed the investigation has indicated campus security guards may have seen the suspect enter FMU’s campus and pursue the victim but failed to intervene, according to CBS News Miami.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The presidential couple’s spectacular downfall follows Yoon’s failed martial law decree in December 2024, which led to his impeachment and removal from office.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Notably at the time, Apple failed to issue an iOS 18 alternative for reluctant upgraders.
—Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Krueger said that the initial bidder on Springfield Hospital, which closed in 2022, failed to close the sale of the property.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
In the r/AlamoDrafthouse subreddit, one user described issues at the Lake Highlands location in Dallas, writing that the system failed to validate their credit card and required staff assistance.
—Katey Psencik, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
That proposal failed 3-4 with Zepeda, Brown and Vice Mayor Doria Robinson in support.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failed
Adjective
-
These therapies are not universally successful, of course, but can often save lives and defeat cancers where other methods are unsuccessful.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Symptoms include cravings, unsuccessful quit attempts, tolerance and withdrawal.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Contraband, misconduct, and inadequate surveillance systems round out the OIG’s familiar list of concerns.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
When the American-Statesman contacted the city Monday about reports of inadequate heating and food, Austin Emergency Management referred the newspaper to Gray’s Sunday comments.—
Chaya Tong,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Shillinglaw says the most powerful stop is the small town of Ypres, where the Last Post Ceremony has been held nearly every night since the end of World War I to honor the men who died on the front lines in Flanders.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Cain died at the scene, and Hayslip died in a hospital a week later.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Photo by Anne Arundel County Fire Department In Harford County, crews rescued four cows, a bull and a horse after a barn collapsed.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Sutton said Minneapolis policing has collapsed since the 2020 unrest, noting the city is authorized for about 900 officers but now has roughly 550, with only around 265 patrol officers available to police the entire city.—
Stepheny Price , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One wonders how many Premier League clubs are monitoring Kane’s situation and would be disappointed by his decision to stay at Bayern Munich.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Atkinson, the high performance director and national coach of Swimming Canada, told CBC he was disappointed with Kharun’s decision.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Demand weakened most sharply in Europe.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In Lebanon, the once formidable Hezbollah has been significantly weakened after 13 months of conflict with Israel and now faces a domestic disarmament campaign.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Taylor Aitken, incoming senior administrator of appropriations committee Lawmakers often forgot one step or another at first in a voting process that already could get complicated quickly by amendments and other special rules.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
-
One night Jane forgot about a book-club meeting and went out, posting pictures on Instagram.—
Lauren Mechling,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Really disappointing to miss my hometown event.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Universal/Focus While WBD was always expected to do stellar numbers today, Uni’s 24 nominations, only three behind WBD, is an excellent result and surely helps make up for the disappointing Wicked tally.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failed. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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