FAILING Synonyms: 204 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'failing' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of failing are fault , foible , frailty , and vice . While all these words mean "an imperfection or weakness of character," failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character. // being late is a failing of mine

Q: When might 'fault' be a better fit than 'failing'?

The synonyms fault and failing are sometimes interchangeable, but fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit. // a writer of many virtues and few faults

Q: When is 'foible' a more appropriate choice than 'failing'?

While in some cases nearly identical to failing , foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy. // an eccentric's charming foibles

Q: When could 'frailty' be used to replace 'failing'?

The words frailty and failing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation. // human frailties

Q: When would 'vice' be a good substitute for 'failing'?

Although the words vice and failing have much in common, vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others. // compulsive gambling was his vice

Q: How does the noun 'failing' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of failing are fault , foible , frailty , and vice . While all these words mean "an imperfection or weakness of character," failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character. // being late is a failing of mine

Q: When might 'fault' be a better fit than 'failing'?

The synonyms fault and failing are sometimes interchangeable, but fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit. // a writer of many virtues and few faults

Q: When is 'foible' a more appropriate choice than 'failing'?

While in some cases nearly identical to failing , foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy. // an eccentric's charming foibles

Q: When could 'frailty' be used to replace 'failing'?

The words frailty and failing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation. // human frailties

Q: When would 'vice' be a good substitute for 'failing'?

Although the words vice and failing have much in common, vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others. // compulsive gambling was his vice

failing 1 of 3

noun

ˈfā-liŋ

Definition of failing next

as in fault

a defect in character we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

failing

2 of 3

adjective

as in dying

Related Words

failing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of fail

as in crashing

to stop functioning my car failed just as I was about to head to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

starting (up)

as in collapsing

to be unsuccessful despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disappointing

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

as in weakening

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

as in forgetting

to miss the opportunity or obligation failed to mention that he was looking for new job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun failing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of failing are fault, foible, frailty, and vice. While all these words mean "an imperfection or weakness of character," failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character.

being late is a failing of mine

When might fault be a better fit than failing?

The synonyms fault and failing are sometimes interchangeable, but fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit.

a writer of many virtues and few faults

When is foible a more appropriate choice than failing?

While in some cases nearly identical to failing, foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy.

an eccentric's charming foibles

When could frailty be used to replace failing?

The words frailty and failing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation.

human frailties

When would vice be a good substitute for failing?

Although the words vice and failing have much in common, vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others.

compulsive gambling was his vice

How does the noun failing differ from other similar words?

being late is a failing of mine

When might fault be a better fit than failing?

The synonyms fault and failing are sometimes interchangeable, but fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit.

a writer of many virtues and few faults

When is foible a more appropriate choice than failing?

While in some cases nearly identical to failing, foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy.

an eccentric's charming foibles

When could frailty be used to replace failing?

The words frailty and failing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation.

human frailties

When would vice be a good substitute for failing?

compulsive gambling was his vice

How does the noun failing differ from other similar words?

being late is a failing of mine

When might fault be a better fit than failing?

The synonyms fault and failing are sometimes interchangeable, but fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit.

a writer of many virtues and few faults

When is foible a more appropriate choice than failing?

While in some cases nearly identical to failing, foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy.

an eccentric's charming foibles

When could frailty be used to replace failing?

The words frailty and failing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation.

human frailties

When would vice be a good substitute for failing?

compulsive gambling was his vice

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 failing

Noun

The dragon is a talker, with his own take on modern society and George’s personal failings. —

Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026 For all the federation’s failings, Kuper remains a passionate follower of World Cup soccer. —

Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026

Adjective

The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention. —

Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Jan. 2026

Verb

However, as Kyle Newman’s article documented, the CSHAA transfer system is increasingly strained and is failing some of the very students it is meant to support. —

Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026 In a similar case reported in the journal Frontiers in Medicine in 2024, a 29-year-old Lithuanian woman was diagnosed after failing to conceive for four years. —

Caroline Tien, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for failing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for failing

Noun

The defense is flawed, the government argued, because Song is not free from fault in prompting Gross’ use of force and the defense cannot show Gross’ pointing his gun at the fleeing person was objectively unreasonable under the circumstances.

— Emerson Clarridge Updated March 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
Restaurant operators acknowledged their own faults for lengthening the permit process, including by providing incorrect or incomplete information, according to the report.

— Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026

Definition of fault

Cite this Entry

Style

“Failing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failing. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 9 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of failing

noun

adjective

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on failing

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

hector

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Games & Quizzes