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

All his administration mustered was a late, failed effort in the summer of 2020 to remove 12,000 troops from Germany. — Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026

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

Verb

Critically, the owner of the footage failed to show any impact on the market for the footage and in fact had never licensed the footage for compensation. — Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Congress legalized home brewing in 1978 Occasional efforts in recent years to change the law failed to gain traction. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Civilian infrastructure failed or disappeared, telecommunications broke down, and hundreds of thousands of people were stranded in what was already a relatively remote, rugged corner of the country. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

San Jose began the day in fourth place in the Western Conference after coming off a 5-1 home loss to Minnesota United and failed to gain ground on second-place Houston. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Right before halftime, TCU had a screen schemed up for junior wide receiver Jeremy Scott on third-and-3, but Craig’s pass was so low Scott had to fall trying to make the catch and failed to get the conversion. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026

According to the petition, Viasat has failed to reach a coordination agreement with SpaceX to prevent radio interference between Starlink and the F2 satellite. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026

The department, the suit claimed, failed to investigate leads in order to protect their officers. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

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