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
Jeff Kauflin, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Martinez has been wounded by Villa’s clean-sheet failings.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 30 Apr. 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
Still, despite such failings, class action lawsuits can be an effective tool for holding companies accountable and forcing reforms in harmful practices, particularly when a large group of plaintiffs have suffered small damages–too small for individual suits to make sense.
—Jeff Kauflin, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Martinez has been wounded by Villa’s clean-sheet failings.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 30 Apr. 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
-
The Knicks’ new coach must find ways to maximize the Brunson-and-Towns duo’s strengths while hiding both of their shortcomings on the defensive end.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
3 June 2025
-
Most of us root for the underdog, so the humility to admit to shortcomings, the generosity of spirit required to commend staff, and the courage to ask for support are more examples of how tapping into vulnerability can be a strength.—
Dr. Ella F. Washington,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Facing his inquisitors Ono dutifully confessed to, and publicly atoned for, all his past sins: His support of DEI, academic freedom, the First Amendment and more.—
Ron Cunningham,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2025
-
Will RuPaul's Drag Race justice finally be done to forgive the sins of the drag queens who committed the Great Betrayal of Nicole Paige Brooks From Atlanta, Ga.?—
Joey Nolfi Published,
EW.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Really, much of Hart’s time at Triple-A El Paso was spent attacking his deficiencies against right-handed hitters, who were hitting .333/.386/.698 against him in the majors compared to a .100/.100/.100 line in 20 plate appearances against lefties.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2025
-
Key Takeaways Hair shedding or thinning can begin a few months after surgery due to stress, nutrient deficiencies, or both.—
Ashley Olivine,
Verywell Health,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
But much like the hug stepped on the larger point of supplementing the military base, images of Whitmer hiding behind the folders added to a narrative that Democrats are feeble in the face of Trump's power and influence.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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