failed 1 of 2

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
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
5

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of failed
Verb
González’s defeat marks the third consecutive time that the party of Rafael Correa, the country’s most influential president this century, failed to return to the presidency. Gonzalo Solano and Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025 However, that deal got nixed because the Lakers failed Williams’ physical, creating an awkward situation. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2025 The judge also denied the city’s request for a default judgment after the defendants failed to appear in court. Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025 But the Dodgers — as has so often been the case over the last couple of weeks — failed to tack on. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025 The Biden administration tried and failed to block numerous tech deals, including Meta’s purchase of a small virtual reality start-up, Within. David McCabe, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 Consider a taxpayer who failed to file an FBAR for a $50,000 Swiss account by April 15, 2018 (for the 2017 tax year), with the automatic extension expiring October 15, 2018. Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.d., Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025 Heck, Sporting failed to even win a single one of its six preseason matches across trips to Miami and California, despite playing a college team and a USL club. Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2025 Listen to this article A driver who failed to pull over for a traffic stop led authorities on a pursuit — some times at slow speeds — that lasted more than two hours Sunday as a sheriff’s helicopter followed him through North County. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failed
Adjective
  • Later that month, Kalyn Free, an attorney from Oklahoma who was unsuccessful in her bid for a vice chair position, filed a complaint alleging that the DNC improperly merged two separate questions into a single vote.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
  • Several attempts to establish at least a partial ceasefire have been unsuccessful.
    DASHA LITVINOVA, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Additionally, company restructuring and layoffs is a concern for 25% of respondents, as is inadequate compensation and benefits.
    The Hill, The Hill, 9 May 2025
  • The victims claim Prevost failed to open an investigation and sent inadequate information to Rome, while the diocese allowed the priest to continue delivering mass, SNAP claims.
    Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Further details about the worker who died may be released in due course.
    Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Fewer than 100 members of the military died from COVID-19, according to the Department of Defense.
    Avery Lotz, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Ottoman-era homes in the city's old quarter collapsed.
    Lauren Frayer, NPR, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Other homes seemed to be abandoned—partially collapsed and overgrown with weeds.
    Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Those looking for salvation from Beijing are likely to be disappointed.
    Thomas J. Bollyky, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Others were disappointed on the teen's behalf that her dad didn't step in to support her.
    Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Those at high-risk for listeria infection are newborns, those who are pregnant, have weakened immune systems, and those aged 65 or older.
    Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025
  • But the militants, while greatly weakened, have repeatedly regrouped, often after Israeli forces withdraw from areas.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Then, someone forgot the rings.
    Christina Dugan Ramirez, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Instead, the stage is dominated by columns with a terra cotta effect, but little else; the world Othello and Iago inhabits seems less drained of color than awaiting it, as if Leon forgot to put it there in the first place.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The one-time MVP has continued to build on the strong second half of an otherwise disappointing 2024.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • The clothing retailer pulled its outlook for the year after posting disappointing preliminary first-quarter results .
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Failed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failed. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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