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
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
as in dying
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of failing
Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Similar messages have appeared on other federal agencies’ websites since the government shutdown began Wednesday after Congress failed to pass a budget bill.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Thailand under Anutin will try to depart from Pheu Thai’s failings as much as possible, says Cogan.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Most of the charges are for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer or failing to obey a lawful order, the district attorney’s office said in press releases.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failing
Noun
Guests who fail to comply will be asked to cease smoking.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Similar messages have appeared on other federal agencies’ websites since the government shutdown began Wednesday after Congress failed to pass a budget bill.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
Humans and their problems are messy and fickle; ChatGPT’s responses will be individual and its failings unpredictable in kind.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Thailand under Anutin will try to depart from Pheu Thai’s failings as much as possible, says Cogan.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Water bottles left behind were filled with black urine – a sign of failing kidneys and dehydration.
—Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Most of the charges are for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer or failing to obey a lawful order, the district attorney’s office said in press releases.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failing
Noun
-
Only one drive on Monday even crossed into Denver territory, even if that wasn’t all his fault.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
None were definitively the fault of Waymo’s actual self-driving technology.—
Saahil Desai,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Though the Red Sox did shoot themselves in the foot with base-running, fielding and bunting failures in Game 2, thus costing them their shot at reaching the ALDS, Game 3 was a bit more representative of the Red Sox and their weaknesses.—
Michael Hurley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
However, other small business indicators show weakness.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
3 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
-
Baltimore’s special teams have been fine except for shoddy kick coverage and execution, but the unit certainly hasn’t been strong enough to make up for any of the team’s other shortcomings or been the difference in them winning a close game.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
In a 2019 post celebrating his third wedding anniversary with Miles, Minoso poked fun at his character’s romantic shortcomings.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The brothers grew up in a household ruled by their mother’s preachings about the sins of lust and carnal desire, per the outlet, which also reports that their father was an alcoholic.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
-
This also ensures the bacon drippings don’t go to waste, which is a serious Southern sin.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Testosterone replacement therapy is designed to restore normal hormone levels in men with deficiency, not to boost or optimize performance, Munger noted.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Rocha also has language deficiencies and has low cognitive functioning, testing with an IQ of 81 as a child, according to Reynolds.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This is a good spot for them, though, as Josh Allen will have a lot of time against a feeble Patriots pass rush, and some people might think the Patriots’ 42-13 win over the Panthers actually means something.—
Vic Tafur,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In this scheme, free will was feeble, and sin could be blamed on dark forces inhabiting the body.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Failing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failing. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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