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
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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
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2025
The suit further argues Tempe failed to provide oversight and training for its officer.
—Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 4 July 2025
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
But beneath that was a second failing: the Bears ranked 25th in PFF run-blocking grade from 11 personnel.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 27 June 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 failing
Noun
President Donald Trump said early Friday his administration is resuming a broad set of tariffs on dozens of countries after a 90-day pause, as trade negotiations with many of those nations have failed to yield new deals.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2025
The suit further argues Tempe failed to provide oversight and training for its officer.
—Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 4 July 2025
Verb
Of course, Lilo & Stitch’s success won’t ever provide an excuse for Snow White’s failings, but at least the film’s booming box office will help erase some of the painful memories the live-action princess movie flop created in the past few months since its release.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
But beneath that was a second failing: the Bears ranked 25th in PFF run-blocking grade from 11 personnel.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
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 failing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failing
Noun
-
But these apocalyptic conditions aren’t the fault of a nearby black hole.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
2 July 2025
-
The fault doesn't lie with the people that want a new state.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in my responses and give me tips for responding with a problem-solving, curious mindset next time.—
Rachel Wells,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
The currency pair is expected to swing both ways as the Taiwan dollar gets caught between speculation of central bank intervention and weakness in the greenback, Lim added.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
1 July 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
-
There’s no shortage of online debate over the relative worth of pet insurance, with consumers routinely trading notes on Reddit and elsewhere about rising premium costs, unexpected cancellations and other common shortcomings.—
Evie Steele,
NBC news,
9 July 2025
-
If anything, some of the paper’s detractors argued, the findings simply demonstrated how humanlike AI models are through their shortcomings.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Every year, villagers in Brittany gathered to have their sins forgiven, dance the gavotte, and watch the young townsmen wrestle after denouncing the devil.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
-
Brazil is a beast soaked in the sins of environmental destruction and human rights violations.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
If the deficiency is prolonged, the plant may stop flowering and fruiting altogether.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 July 2025
-
The issue was also declared a significant deficiency in 2020, and Wyandotte officials pledged to begin implementing a residential protection program.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
Leon Goretzka intercepted a feeble Pulgar clearance about 25 yards from goal and rather than close out to him, three Flamengo players decided to block off the corner of the net to the left of goalkeeper Agustin Rossi.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
29 June 2025
-
First appearing in Street Fighter Alpha in 1995, Hibiki is consistently portrayed as an overconfident, arrogant and utterly feeble character.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Failing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failing. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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