failing 1 of 3

failing

2 of 3

verb

present participle of fail
1
as in crashing
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 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

4
5

failing

3 of 3

adjective

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

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
Verb
The inquest is expected to consider some or all of the concerns that were raised at the time and reported by The Athletic in the immediate aftermath, with multiple eyewitnesses alleging failings in the care provided by Sheffield Wednesday and its medical services. Steve Madeley, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025 The Broncos' late failings weren't entirely on Sean Payton, who was trending towards an F here before unleashing fire and fury on the Chargers with the Nix-to-Sutton fake pitch at the end of the first half. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Ultimately, 12 adults and two juveniles were arrested by the LAPD for failing to comply with dispersal orders, CBS Los Angeles reported. Madeline Armstrong, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025 But the Rockies, fielding an anemic offense and failing to build a dynamic roster, have not posted a winning record at home since 2022. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for failing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failing
Noun
  • Who’s ultimately at fault here?
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Incidentally, their friend Jesus’ relapse a few years ago isn’t Lee’s fault, but, as Wendell reminds him, Lee was supposed to check on him that day.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His goal to seal the win against Italy — a lung-busting run and cultured finish in the dying moments — helped to illustrate the impressive engine at the heart of Cremaschi’s game.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Before dying under the weight of the boulder, the spell caster cursed the princess, her family, and the city.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The rare, direct foreign intervention, which will take the form of a currency swap, is aimed at boosting a collapsing peso and calming market volatility ahead of Argentina’s midterm elections later this month.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Rising delinquency rates among other concerns, recently led to subprime auto lender Tricolor unexpectedly collapsing.
    Michael Wayland, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, the company didn't raise its 2025 forecast, disappointing some investors.
    Seema Mody, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Apple is betting that the new models will bolster demand after disappointing iPad sales in the June quarter.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Washington — The Federal Reserve was already facing one of its most difficult battles, steering a shifting economy through a weakening labor market and stubborn inflation.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Far from expanding opportunity, this excessive wealth locks millions out of the chance to innovate and build, weakening growth for all.
    Scott Ellis, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some of them vanish to Florida, and the others spend four straight days in their pajamas eating pizza rolls, playing Minecraft and forgetting how to read.
    Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
  • So, maintaining a certain level of trust, while also being skeptical, and not forgetting to check in with ourselves as well.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While pruning, remove any winter damage, along with dead and declining growths, to allow new shoots to reform the plant.
    Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 6 Mar. 2021
  • In order to reopen, counties must demonstrate declining prevalence of COVID-19, testing ability of 30 tests per 10,000 residents per week, contact tracing and isolation facilities.
    Fox News, Fox News, 15 May 2020
Noun
  • That humility will always prevail over ego, kindness isn’t a form of weakness, and true happiness isn’t measured by what’s in your bank account or even by the empty rows of your refrigerator.
    Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • How does the relative length of our haunting reflect our collective moral strengths and weaknesses?
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Failing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failing. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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