1
as in to die
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to collapse
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to disappoint
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
as in to weaken
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
5
as in to forget
to miss the opportunity or obligation
failed to mention that he was looking for new job
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fault
a defect in character
we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dying
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in collapsing
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
5
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fail
Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
But the consultants have also been asked to anticipate a scenario where the measure fails or doesn’t even go on the ballot.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Each name is steeped in its own history and connotations, linked to the achievements or failings of the previous popes or saints who carried it.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025
The penalties for failing to comply are harsh.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Verb
Activists have accused Iranian authorities of killing Amini after her detention on charges of failing to adhere to the country's dress code.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
But the consultants have also been asked to anticipate a scenario where the measure fails or doesn’t even go on the ballot.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Noun
That the work eludes full viewing is not a failing.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Each name is steeped in its own history and connotations, linked to the achievements or failings of the previous popes or saints who carried it.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
Verb
Last year, 23andMe agreed to pay $30 million in cash to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of failing to protect customers whose personal information was exposed in this breach.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025
The penalties for failing to comply are harsh.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Noun
-
But now that the game is in the wild, fans are finding the same faults, and as a percentage, their scores are even lower.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
But the latest test did not have the same fault, allowing fuel to be vented away from the engine safely and preventing the collapsing ship from exploding.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
While the dollar strengthened for the second day on Wednesday, Jefferies thinks the greenback could be in for an extended period of weakness.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
28 May 2025
-
One weakness in Capture One's utility as a workflow solution has been its lack of sharing to established online photo venues, but there's a ray of light on this count.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
28 May 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
-
Kindall, an applicant for the permanent job, acknowledged shortcomings at SEEC but questioned the scope and timing of the legislation.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
22 May 2025
-
Get it to identify the shortcomings in your request before starting.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
And the sin that Crespo supposedly committed to warrant banishment?—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
19 May 2025
-
For his part, Misch has not come close to showing remorse nor confessing his sins.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Ultimately, the expedition’s failure likely came down to a combination of factors, including dietary deficiencies, hubris and simple bad luck.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
-
The absence of the 10 men, who also utilized facility deficiencies that officials have long complained about in their escape, went unnoticed for hours.—
Jack Brook,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
While Shawna and John were meant to be having a romantic anniversary dinner, Barb showed up unannounced and undermined Jennifer’s already feeble attempts at following the evening routine laid out for the young children.—
Sara Belcher,
People.com,
9 May 2025
-
Rather than attempt a feeble defense of himself, Nick attacks June for the same willful ignorance her mother accused her of in Alaska.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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