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

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

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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

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starting (up)

as in collapsing

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

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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

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as in weakening

to lose bodily strength or vigor ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing

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as in forgetting

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

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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

Noun

But if there is no clear-eyed accounting and address of the specific and systemic failings that led to so much loss last July 4, what happens the next time a flood roars through Texas Hill Country? —

Karen Valby, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026 Theodat’s suit Theodat’s suit painted her as an accomplished leader who was forced out not due to any failings but because of discrimination. —

Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 14 June 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

Reporting that the 15 member schools have already decided that Texas Tech shouldn’t play Sorsby could be construed as prejudging Texas Tech and failing to honor the procedural safeguards guaranteed by the bylaws. —

Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 June 2026 Last month, Kenya's Education Ministry suspended the principal of Utumishi Girls Academy for failing to comply with school fire safety regulations. —

ABC News, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for failing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for failing

Noun

The company, which had an opportunity to include its responses in the exam report, denied fault in some cases and admitted fault in others.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
The researchers fed this millennium-long data into a computer model to determine how much stress has built up along the faults in that temporal window.

— Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 June 2026