Synonyms of fails

fails

verb

present tense third-person singular of fail

1

as in dies

to stop functioning

my car failed just as I was about to head to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dies
• crashes
• stalls
• breaks
• breaks down
• cuts out
• gives out
• fizzles
• sputters
• conks (out)
• wheezes
• jams
• malfunctions
• acts up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• starts (up)

2

as in collapses

to be unsuccessful

despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapses
• misses
• flops
• struggles
• folds
• bombs
• flunks
• declines
• falls short
• strikes out
• tanks
• comes up empty
• falls flat
• lays an egg
• flames out
• crashes
• founders
• comes to grief
• comes a cropper
• washes out
• slips
• dies on the vine
• flounders
• crumbles
• craters
• wanes
• slumps
• falls on one's face
• sinks
• miscarries
• implodes
• skids
• misfires
• goes under
• self-destructs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• succeeds
• goes
• delivers
• works out
• clicks
• goes over
• comes off
• thrives
• flourishes
• prevails
• cooks
• wins
• pans out
• prospers
• triumphs

3

as in disappoints

to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of

although the minor-league franchise continues to fail local fans, hope springs eternal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disappoints
• lets down
• cheats
• dissatisfies
• displeases
• upsets
• distresses
• deceives
• bums (out)
• disenchants
• disillusions
• mocks
• deludes
• discontents
• chagrins
• disgruntles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contents
• satisfies
• fulfills
• gratifies
• gladdens

4

as in weakens

to lose bodily strength or vigor

ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakens
• fades
• goes
• sags
• sinks
• deteriorates
• lags
• droops
• languishes
• decays
• wilts
• withers
• wastes (away)
• flags
• emaciates
• wears out
• yields
• breaks down
• rots
• degenerates
• runs down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recovers
• recuperates
• rallies
• rebounds
• gains
• convalesces

5

as in forgets

to miss the opportunity or obligation

failed to mention that he was looking for new job

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forgets
• neglects
• omits
• ignores
• disregards
• misses out on
• defaults
• passes over
• skips
• overlooks
• pretermits
• slides
• slips
• overpasses
• slights

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remembers
• does
• minds
• observes
• keeps
• performs
• practices
• executes
• heeds
• meets
• satisfies
• fulfills
• carries out
• discharges
• complies (with)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fails

This backward-looking approach fails entirely against novel attack vectors like synthetic identity creation and deepfake social engineering. —Ethan Stone, USA Today, 11 May 2026

Statistically, the first launch from a private company almost always fails. —Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026

Overall, Stewart said grade fluctuations can occur when a hospital’s performance worsens or fails to improve at the same pace as other hospitals. —Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026

There is an immediate tone shift, however, after the team fails to make it out of the group stage in the 2024 Copa América tournament. —Doha Madani, NBC news, 11 May 2026

Pepper jelly and peaches pair with brie for a dish that never fails to look elegant on any spread. —Brennan Long, Southern Living, 9 May 2026

However, the Jones Act is a clear and fixable contributor, one that raises costs, reduces efficiency, and fails to deliver on its promises. —Katelyn Bledsoe, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026

The conflict escalates when Stoner fails Lomax’s protégé, Charles Walker, a student who fakes his seminar report and lacks basic knowledge. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

If the core players are anything other than spectacular, the team fails. —Murat Ates, New York Times, 4 May 2026