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
If the continuity, cohesion and familiarity offered by those who stayed does not prove enough to keep Leeds in the league, the inability to sell efficiently in the summer window will be seen as one of the failings.
—
Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Thailand under Anutin will try to depart from Pheu Thai’s failings as much as possible, says Cogan.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
To the communists, the army – and its failings – were the product of the corrupt government under Chiang.
—Meredith Oyen, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
But in this history, Thompson and Klein, bard of the Times’ daily podcast, make a legible case for the failings of 20th century liberalism.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
The senator laid the blame for the breaches squarely on the judiciary’s refusal to acknowledge the security failings openly and its resistance to disclose the causes and enact meaningful changes to prevent future breaches.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2025
Women often internalize their difficulties, believing the struggles are personal failings.
—Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Despite the failings, SpaceX has pressed on and said each setback is part of the learning curve for the world’s most powerful, 403-foot rocket.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2025
In his review, The Hollywood Reporter‘s chief film critic, David Rooney, praises Reichardt for creating a genre picture that doesn’t include the usual tropes in order to focus on character, human failings and the lengths people go to when faced with struggles.
—Katherine Schaffstall, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025
Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Thailand under Anutin will try to depart from Pheu Thai’s failings as much as possible, says Cogan.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
To the communists, the army – and its failings – were the product of the corrupt government under Chiang.
—Meredith Oyen, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
But in this history, Thompson and Klein, bard of the Times’ daily podcast, make a legible case for the failings of 20th century liberalism.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
The senator laid the blame for the breaches squarely on the judiciary’s refusal to acknowledge the security failings openly and its resistance to disclose the causes and enact meaningful changes to prevent future breaches.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2025
Women often internalize their difficulties, believing the struggles are personal failings.
—Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Despite the failings, SpaceX has pressed on and said each setback is part of the learning curve for the world’s most powerful, 403-foot rocket.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2025
In his review, The Hollywood Reporter‘s chief film critic, David Rooney, praises Reichardt for creating a genre picture that doesn’t include the usual tropes in order to focus on character, human failings and the lengths people go to when faced with struggles.
—Katherine Schaffstall, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failings
Noun
-
It could be argued that this trio of managers followed each other at United because their strengths answered the previous manager’s weaknesses.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Vandersloot’s absence this season exposed weaknesses across the Sky roster.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
So The Paper treats journalism as aspirational — Ned describes over-romanticizing as one of his main faults.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
-
A lot of the struggles Rumi has with her identity and Celine (Yunjin Kim) are very Korean, in that faults and fears must be hidden.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
After Knull’s fall, Hela is imprisoned in the An'Hay-Zhidi, where Dizang—Devil of the Eighth City—dares her to atone for her sins.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
In Christian lore, the sycamore also symbolizes repentance, humility, and forgiveness of one’s sins, evoked by the story of the tax collector Zacchaeus, who climbed one to see Jesus.—
Ellen Walker,
JSTOR Daily,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
However, their actions ensure their shortcomings will remain a part of the public conversation.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The Vegas Loop's shortcomings could prevent the Music City Loop from being as innovative as proposed by Elon Musk's tunnel construction service.—
Charles Singh,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Failings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failings. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share