as in weaknesses
a defect in character
we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of failings
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
Symptoms like weight gain, acne, irregular periods, infertility and excess hair growth have often been treated as personal failings rather than medical signs.
—Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
More bailouts would paper over the failings of federal regulation.
—Marc Scribner, Washington Post, 13 May 2026
As well as the impact of the attack, being caught up in the pre-game crush outside Stade de France had triggered horrendous memories of being on the Leppings Lane end at Hillsborough in 1989, which claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool supporters due to the organisational failings of the authorities.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Smith then humorously highlighted how Skip Bayless has crashed out over the years due to Cowboys’ playoff collapses and other failings by throwing jerseys and other merchandise away.
—Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
The previous Lord of the Flies adaptations, whatever their failings otherwise, were similarly showcases for casting discoveries.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
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
Symptoms like weight gain, acne, irregular periods, infertility and excess hair growth have often been treated as personal failings rather than medical signs.
—Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
More bailouts would paper over the failings of federal regulation.
—Marc Scribner, Washington Post, 13 May 2026
As well as the impact of the attack, being caught up in the pre-game crush outside Stade de France had triggered horrendous memories of being on the Leppings Lane end at Hillsborough in 1989, which claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool supporters due to the organisational failings of the authorities.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Smith then humorously highlighted how Skip Bayless has crashed out over the years due to Cowboys’ playoff collapses and other failings by throwing jerseys and other merchandise away.
—Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
The previous Lord of the Flies adaptations, whatever their failings otherwise, were similarly showcases for casting discoveries.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failings
Noun
-
Rather than relying solely on manual workflows, modern platforms use automation to systematically explore potential attack paths, test common exploitation techniques, and identify reachable weaknesses across complex environments.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
The Tuesday order also comes after Anthropic captivated government officials and Wall Street earlier this year by announcing Claude Mythos Preview, a model that excels at identifying weaknesses and security flaws within software.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
However, the things that can lead to faults are, in a twisted way, something McKenna loves about the character.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
31 May 2026
-
Ruptures occur at various depths, faults hold varying amounts of potential energy, and tectonic plates break at different speeds — each affecting how the quake is felt even from a short distance away, Pitarka said.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Like the black bamboo by my window, bent by the heavy snows, we were broken by the burden of our sins.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
For pilgrims, Hajj, performed over five days, can be a deeply moving spiritual experience and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and the erasure of past sins.—
Baraa Anwer,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Leach also would publicly call out his players and could get ornery when questioned about his team’s shortcomings.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
Data doesn’t show whole picture The data has its shortcomings.—
Catherine Odom,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failings. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
