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
Because the Duggars adhere to a fundamentalist fringe of evangelicalism, the liberal media are often quick to use the family’s failings as a cautionary tale about Christianity in general, and conservatives can be too quick to interpret criticism of the family as criticism of the church.
—
Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
Okrent’s failings are, unsurprisingly, primarily those of omission.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Reporters here and across the nation routinely request public records to illuminate systemic failings, abuse and corruption across all levels of government.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
The narrators have soft spots for various failings.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
And there’s no question many of the failings come back to the fact the roster is poorly constructed.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
But the show makes up for those failings with scenes set on Bondi Beach or references to Tim Tams.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
The central role of Nanno – an enigmatic transfer student whose uncanny insight into the moral failings of those around her drives each episode’s reckoning – is taken by 20-year-old Nakajima Arisa in her screen debut.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Mar. 2026
Read Credit Suisse’s own post-mortem report on its Archegos failings, prepared by law firm Paul Weiss.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
Okrent’s failings are, unsurprisingly, primarily those of omission.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Reporters here and across the nation routinely request public records to illuminate systemic failings, abuse and corruption across all levels of government.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
The narrators have soft spots for various failings.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
And there’s no question many of the failings come back to the fact the roster is poorly constructed.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
But the show makes up for those failings with scenes set on Bondi Beach or references to Tim Tams.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
The central role of Nanno – an enigmatic transfer student whose uncanny insight into the moral failings of those around her drives each episode’s reckoning – is taken by 20-year-old Nakajima Arisa in her screen debut.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Mar. 2026
Read Credit Suisse’s own post-mortem report on its Archegos failings, prepared by law firm Paul Weiss.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failings
Noun
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One scout from an NBA Eastern Conference team believes Bidunga needs the right frontcourt partner to help minimize his weaknesses at the next level.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
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And different numeral systems have different strengths and weaknesses.—
John Pavlus,
Quanta Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For all her faults, Harris knows how to read a poll.—
Keith Naughton,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
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Xcel Energy Colorado's Andrew Holder, director of community relations and local government affairs, explained that devices known as re-closers trip when there are power line faults.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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McNair spoke, unsuccessfully, before an Alabama Legislature that wanted to limit how schools teach events, such as the bombing that killed her sister, lest White children feel guilt for the sins of their forebears.—
John Archibald,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2026
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The Bible teaches that lying, stealing, adultery and coveting your neighbor’s property are sins.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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One of the most common explanations for this (and for the University City restaurant scene’s shortcomings in general) has to do with how dining districts tend to develop in the first place.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
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The damage to the frigate brought US minesweeping shortcomings to the forefront again.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failings. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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