1
as in to die
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
The suit said that the center was built without ecological reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act and without public notice or comment and that the government failed to comply with other state and federal statutes, including the Endangered Species Act.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2025
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
The questioning included probing organizational systems in place to manage risk, and NTSB board member Michael Graham noted the breakdowns were a failing of these essential programs.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 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
Preliminary findings of an investigation by the Department of Transportation (DOT) revealed that, when questioned following the accident, the driver failed assessments on his English language proficiency as well as his understanding of highway traffic rules.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
The suit said that the center was built without ecological reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act and without public notice or comment and that the government failed to comply with other state and federal statutes, including the Endangered Species Act.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
This project arrives in the near-aftermath of horrifying flooding in Texas, which exposed some similar failings in response and management.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
The questioning included probing organizational systems in place to manage risk, and NTSB board member Michael Graham noted the breakdowns were a failing of these essential programs.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 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
-
The Tiger has a fascinating history, although its life was short through no fault of its own.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
22 Aug. 2025
-
But said momentum can also evaporate quickly through no fault of their own.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
At the same time, the labor market has shown growing signs of weakness.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Until recently, in fact, many people considered empathy in a leader to be a weakness rather than a strength.—
Toby Lester,
Harvard Business Review,
20 Aug. 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
-
The series sounds the alarm on the waning influence of traditional media and calls prominent journalists, including former New York Times writer Judith Miller, to task for reporting shortcomings.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The pandemic exposed these shortcomings: Students who experienced this superficial digitization after the abrupt shift online declared that higher education via Zoom often left them dissatisfied with both the process and results.—
Scott Pulsipher,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Just classical music, which was not considered a sin.—
Miriam Toews,
New Yorker,
17 Aug. 2025
-
And Just Like That has been a lot of things since its debut late in 2021: an apologia for the sins of the past, a lookbook, a backdrop for cameos from the two most Machiavellian men on reality television.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
If your hair loss is down to certain nutrient deficiencies, adopting a healthy diet for your hair can help.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Luce tells the story of Brzezinski prodding Carter ahead of the debate to push Ford on the deficiencies of his (and Kissinger’s) détente with Moscow and attention to human rights issues.—
Niall Ferguson,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
While the bats themselves are feeble foes, the rabies virus is a brutal beast.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
13 Aug. 2025
-
But the animal would also be pretty feeble at this stage — if this happened in a very short period of time, the muscle growth wouldn't be able to keep up with the expansion of the exoskeleton.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Failing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failing. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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