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
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The largest necessary improvements would be a $266,000 HVAC system, $61,000 in roof repairs and $40,000 to replace failed windows.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Instacart is also releasing a longer director’s cut at a later date, expanding the rivalry into a full narrative arc with more dancing, singing and escalating tension — including additional failed flips.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
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
Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Duffy said 448 schools failed to meet basic safety standards.
—Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Santa Margarita coach Justin Bell was disappointed that his team failed to match the Wolverines’ intensity.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
The Austin police officer who fatally shot an armed man standing on his front porch will once again stand trial for felony deadly conduct three months after a jury failed to reach a verdict in the officer's initial trial, according to a spokesman for Travis County District Attorney José Garza.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
But that plan failed when two of Adams’ picks withdrew.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Alongside the lock-in effect, construction has failed to make up for a years-long shortage of new homes, exacerbating the shortfall.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
The New York Times reported that federal prosecutors also tried and failed to obtain indictments against the other four Democrats, in addition to Kelly and Slotkin.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
The National Transportation Safety Board said the FAA and the Army did not share safety data with each other about the alarming number of close calls around Reagan National Airport and failed to address the risks.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
But in one election, our state can be upended by the failed socialist policies that have wrecked other states.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The largest necessary improvements would be a $266,000 HVAC system, $61,000 in roof repairs and $40,000 to replace failed windows.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Instacart is also releasing a longer director’s cut at a later date, expanding the rivalry into a full narrative arc with more dancing, singing and escalating tension — including additional failed flips.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
Prosecutors say the defendant failed to take into account his girlfriend’s inexperience in mountain climbing as well as the harsh winter conditions.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Duffy said 448 schools failed to meet basic safety standards.
—Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Santa Margarita coach Justin Bell was disappointed that his team failed to match the Wolverines’ intensity.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
The Austin police officer who fatally shot an armed man standing on his front porch will once again stand trial for felony deadly conduct three months after a jury failed to reach a verdict in the officer's initial trial, according to a spokesman for Travis County District Attorney José Garza.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
But that plan failed when two of Adams’ picks withdrew.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Alongside the lock-in effect, construction has failed to make up for a years-long shortage of new homes, exacerbating the shortfall.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
The New York Times reported that federal prosecutors also tried and failed to obtain indictments against the other four Democrats, in addition to Kelly and Slotkin.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
The National Transportation Safety Board said the FAA and the Army did not share safety data with each other about the alarming number of close calls around Reagan National Airport and failed to address the risks.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failed
Adjective
-
His work there included an unsuccessful effort to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census, which drew congressional scrutiny.—
Dan Sullivan,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Attempts to reach Coplan and Jones individually were unsuccessful.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Federal regulators are shutting down more than 550 commercial driving schools nationwide after finding unqualified instructors, inadequate testing and other safety failures.—
Josh Funk,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In Texas, builders and contractors can be unlicensed, and Klepac has assisted clients who have needed remedial work due to inadequate construction design.—
Jessica Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Five people have died, and dozens of others were injured after a massive pileup of more than 30 vehicles in Colorado, officials say.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In Beltrami County, one person died Monday night when a house burned to the ground in rural Port Hope Township, north of Bemidji.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In Worcester, which lay more than 40 miles from the Charlestown line, a parched and dusty rider arrived at the square in front of the church, where his horse collapsed in exhaustion.—
Kostya Kennedy,
Time,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The front porch had also collapsed on the two-story, multi-family building.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That rhetoric has been replaced by a basic long-leash Republicanism — a shift that may be unsurprising with a dealmaker in the Oval Office, but has disappointed progressives and hardcore populists and sent legal sherpas scrambling to freshen their advice.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
About 26% of Americans say they’ve been disappointed by a partner not doing enough to celebrate the holiday, with women three times as likely as men to report that disappointment, according to YouGov.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Mutawa, as the religious police are known, had their powers significantly weakened in 2016.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Well, he's weakened the regulations on clean cars.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Its roots date back more than 50 years, when the Shah of Iran asked the brand to whip up a jeep-like truck for his army—but the current product still resembles the original so closely, you’d be forgiven for thinking Mercedes simply forgot about it years ago.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The next day, a nurse brought a bandaged Berger-Moran back to her mother, who never forgot the young American medic who saved her baby's life.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That makes its decision to yield to political pressure all the more disappointing.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
China were 1-5 coming into this match-up, so this will go down as a disappointing result for Team USA.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failed. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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