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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Related Words
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
Sam Gringlas, NPR, 29 May 2026
During that mission, New Glenn failed to deploy its payload, the BlueBird 7 communications satellite, into the proper orbit.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 May 2026
Marc Scribner, Washington Post, 13 May 2026
Equally important is practicing self-care and self-compassion, which, Broder says, means treating yourself with kindness instead of judgment and recognizing that your patterns developed as a way to cope, not as a personal failing.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Jan. 2026
Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
Olathe Schools is accused of failing to accommodate CFR’s ADHD and mental health under the ADA.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fail
Verb
That case argued that Louisiana lawmakers illegally diluted Black voting power by failing to draw a second majority-Black district in a state where Black voters account for roughly one third of the population.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 29 May 2026
During that mission, New Glenn failed to deploy its payload, the BlueBird 7 communications satellite, into the proper orbit.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 May 2026
Noun
More bailouts would paper over the failings of federal regulation.
—Marc Scribner, Washington Post, 13 May 2026
Equally important is practicing self-care and self-compassion, which, Broder says, means treating yourself with kindness instead of judgment and recognizing that your patterns developed as a way to cope, not as a personal failing.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 May 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
The temperature in a critically failing tank filled with a highly toxic chemical and at risk of exploding in Orange County is rising, not falling, officials said.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
Olathe Schools is accused of failing to accommodate CFR’s ADHD and mental health under the ADA.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
-
Memorial Day is a day to remember, respect and show empathy for the many who have died in military service in wars.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
His team started just west of Lake Village, at the site where Edward and Arlene Kozlowski died in their home, one of the areas worst hit by the tornado.—
Amy Lavalley,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Game 1, when the Cavs built a 22-point lead against a rusty Knicks team before collapsing during a devastating 44-11 New York run.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
24 May 2026
-
Political norms rarely collapse all at once.—
William Muck,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Writing for The Motley Fool, Geoffrey Seiler was disappointed that Abel appeared to be repeating Buffett's mistakes.—
Alex Crippen,
CNBC,
23 May 2026
-
The people the chief represented had counted on the good faith of the British but been disappointed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Just weeks ago, the president was blaming Thune for not doing more to whip the votes needed to advance the SAVE America Act, a voter ID bill that stalled over GOP opposition to weakening the filibuster.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 May 2026
-
Canadians were once America's largest group of inbound international travelers, but recent data shows a shift as some turn away from the United States based on values and even a weakening Canadian dollar.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
The last image of the Buffalo Sabres’ season was one Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will spend his summer trying to forget.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Name five albums, and one of them can't be the Black Album, which is actually called Metallica; people forget that.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
School fires are common in Kenyan boarding schools, with some caused by arson and others by electrical faults.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
-
Yes, this viewpoint is that the AI is at fault.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Garden centers aren't giving a refund for a dying or dead plant but rather a discount on a new purchase.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
According to San Diego police, the driver crossed over oncoming traffic on National Avenue and then onto the sidewalk, crashing into the victim and the bus stop.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
-
Officers later found the vehicle and initiated a short pursuit, which ended with the suspect crashing into a power pole on the 1400 block of Center Street, near Seminary.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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