as in weaknesses
a defect in character
we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night
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Recent Examples of failings
Theodat’s suit Theodat’s suit painted her as an accomplished leader who was forced out not due to any failings but because of discrimination.
—
Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 14 June 2026
These behaviors are not personal failings.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
In all these books, animals serve as mirrors, reflecting our personal and societal shortcomings and shame, our hubris, anxiety, and moral failings.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Shortly after the theft, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu accused the Drents Museum of security failings—a claim the museum rejected—amid mounting threats of legal action against the Dutch.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 June 2026
Some of these were our own fault or failings and some completely outside our control.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Mary disrupts Clark’s equilibrium with the Backrooms by refusing to validate his excuses for his behavior, fully calling out his failings, his petty assholery, and his glib, solipsistic lies.
—Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Overall, other countries have already come up with strategies to address the failings seen in the US health system, including reducing healthcare costs, strengthening primary care, and addressing inequities.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026
The rapid turnover is not simply the result of individual failings or political misfortune, although those have no doubt played a part.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 May 2026
Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 14 June 2026
These behaviors are not personal failings.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
In all these books, animals serve as mirrors, reflecting our personal and societal shortcomings and shame, our hubris, anxiety, and moral failings.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Shortly after the theft, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu accused the Drents Museum of security failings—a claim the museum rejected—amid mounting threats of legal action against the Dutch.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 June 2026
Some of these were our own fault or failings and some completely outside our control.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Mary disrupts Clark’s equilibrium with the Backrooms by refusing to validate his excuses for his behavior, fully calling out his failings, his petty assholery, and his glib, solipsistic lies.
—Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Overall, other countries have already come up with strategies to address the failings seen in the US health system, including reducing healthcare costs, strengthening primary care, and addressing inequities.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026
The rapid turnover is not simply the result of individual failings or political misfortune, although those have no doubt played a part.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failings
Noun
-
Bedoya offers insights on this year’s biggest contenders, plus gives his favorites, sleepers and a look at Team USA’s strengths and weaknesses heading into the Cup.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
-
The note, which was published by Xbox on Xbox Wire, does not address potential layoffs but instead focuses on specific weaknesses within the division, including a 3% accountability margin for the fiscal year.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Scientists note that infrastructure built across active faults is especially vulnerable, as surface rupture can directly offset roads, buildings, and other structures that span the fault trace.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
-
Equipped with cameras and sensors, the robots can identify faults such as broken wires, worn components, and abnormal temperature changes that could signal potential failures, reports the South China Morning Post (SCMP).—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
These days, most red-letter sins in NCAA sports come in gray, and more often invisible ink.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
-
The length exacerbates all the rest of the series' sins, including a lack of emotional depth, gratuitous suffering and violence, long stretches of boring, listless plotting and extraneous characters.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
In all these books, animals serve as mirrors, reflecting our personal and societal shortcomings and shame, our hubris, anxiety, and moral failings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
The North Korean players’ physical aptitude was clear, but coaches were aware of their technical and tactical shortcomings.—
Andrew McNicol,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failings. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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