failings

noun

plural of failing
as in weaknesses
a defect in character we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 In the documentation, the company is candid about its failings. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 Oct. 2026 The Army report highlighted how the air traffic controller at Reagan National Airport could have prevented the crash, but also acknowledged the military’s own failings and other contributing factors. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 The Army report highlighted how the air traffic controller in the tower at Reagan National Airport could have prevented the crash, but also acknowledged the military’s own failings. — Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 These reported failings include understaffing, undertrained employees, and failure to listen to parental concerns, the BBC reported at the time. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026 Sussman is inclined to see such preferences as further evidence of capitalism’s moral failings. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 Following Tuesday’s inquest, Metropolitan Police said that an internal review had found failings in its investigation into Heklina’s death but disputed claims that homophobia played a part in how its investigation was handled. — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 Modern interpreters have read his 10 heads as signifying his vast knowledge of 10 sacred texts, or alternately his 10 ethical failings, but the Ramayana account describes him as 10-headed from birth. — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 Cycling’s stakeholders must reflect on failings that led to Fin Tarling’s death. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failings
  1. weaknesses
  2. faults
  3. sins
  4. shortcomings
Noun
  • In parts of society or in businesses, AI could exacerbate existing weaknesses, like extreme income inequality and the loneliness epidemic.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The policy follows security tests that exposed weaknesses in OpenAI’s research infrastructure.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of weaknesses
Noun
  • Defending champion Rybakina hit six aces but needed 11 set points to take the first set in a match that featured erratic serving and a total of 11 double-faults between her and Shnaider.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But for all Vicki’s faults, this season of RHOC is also doing her no favors.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of faults
Noun
  • Per the official logline, in the final season, as the survivors race to bury their sins before rescue arrives and an old flame roars back into town with plans of her own.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Many crimes, including property crimes like burglary or moral sins such as adultery, were punishable by death in the American colonies.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of sins
Noun
  • By the August meeting, shortcomings in the rollout were identified.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Jenae and Shalanda walk Brittany through how our aging power grid - coupled with climate change, the strain of new technologies, and a lack of investment - exposes the systemic shortcomings that very well might leave all of us in the dark.
    — October 16, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of shortcomings

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Cite this Entry

“Failings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failings. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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