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

In addition, strain sensors in the build plate arm monitor the suction forces of each layer and can detect when there’s no suction and alert you to a failed print. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

After about 50 more failed attempts, the Oswalt Perfect Game Attempt Counter clicked to 1,993. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

After two failed engagements, Taylor took her final trip down the aisle in 1991. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Aug. 2026

Advertisement In my case, one declared goal—even a failed one—led to another. — Adrian Gore, Time, 17 Aug. 2026

And there are opponents of that movement who point to the failed socialist governments in Latin American is proof that socialism doesn't always work. — CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

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 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

Verb

The booking software also failed The AI agent deserves scrutiny here, but the booking software had a serious weakness too. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026

His removal triggered mass protests that lasted for weeks, but ultimately failed to force a reversal of the decision. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Post-Saban, a string of Dolphins misfire hires — Cam Cameron, Tony Sparano, Joe Philbin, Adam Gase, Brian Flores and McDaniel — all failed to end the playoff-win drought. — Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026

This year, after Congress failed to extend pandemic-era subsidies, premiums skyrocketed for many ACA plans. — Olivia Aldridge, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026

Socialism and communism have failed wherever they have been tried. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

The first one failed after a few years, and the second one had to cut through all of that failure. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026

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