1
as in dies
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in collapses
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in forgets
to miss the opportunity or obligation
failed to mention that he was looking for new job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fails
The defense also contends that Trump, as a public figure, must show actual malice—proof that the Journal knew its reporting was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth—and that the complaint fails to do so.
—
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The latest changes—and what might come next Advertisement The 2025 civics test is similar to the 2020 one, except officers will only be required to ask questions until the applicant either passes or fails the test.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
The union representing Broadway musicians is vowing to go on strike later this week if a last-ditched effort at mediation Wednesday fails.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Its Mudéjar architecture, a hypnotic blend of Islamic artistry and Christian tradition, never fails to captivate travelers.
—Nigel Hack, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
If pushback fails now, whether through courts, through Congress or through public protest, the bulwark that exists between national security and political repression may collapse entirely.
—Jason M. Blazakis, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
And then there were the epic flavor fails, including a couple of real whoppers.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
So all in all, Louisville fails to capitalize on the Carson Beck interception.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Jansen Funding vote fails for the 10th time The Senate once again shot down a measure to reopen the government Thursday.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The latest changes—and what might come next Advertisement The 2025 civics test is similar to the 2020 one, except officers will only be required to ask questions until the applicant either passes or fails the test.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
The union representing Broadway musicians is vowing to go on strike later this week if a last-ditched effort at mediation Wednesday fails.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Its Mudéjar architecture, a hypnotic blend of Islamic artistry and Christian tradition, never fails to captivate travelers.
—Nigel Hack, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
If pushback fails now, whether through courts, through Congress or through public protest, the bulwark that exists between national security and political repression may collapse entirely.
—Jason M. Blazakis, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
And then there were the epic flavor fails, including a couple of real whoppers.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
So all in all, Louisville fails to capitalize on the Carson Beck interception.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Jansen Funding vote fails for the 10th time The Senate once again shot down a measure to reopen the government Thursday.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fails
Verb
-
The latest installment, which premiered Thursday on Netflix, picks up just moments after the Season 2 cliffhanger when the President dies after Hal (Rufus Sewell) informs him of Vice President Grace Penn’s involvement in the bombing of a British aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
18 Oct. 2025
-
There’s also the risk of secondary toxicity if a mole comes to the surface, dies, and is eaten by a raptor or other predator.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When the ceiling collapses in her Montauk apartment, she’s forced to move to a bleak low-rent motel.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Ares instead collapses the two, transporting technology from the other universe—like the light cycle, a futuristic motorcycle that’s become a franchise icon—onto real-world streets.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And this White Bean Chicken Chili never disappoints.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The centre-back hesitates and then passes sideways, which disappoints Szoboszlai and Bradley.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Blocking them causes disruption to the cells’ energy-generating mitochondria and leads to oxidative stress, which further weakens cancer.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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Even as the storm weakens over Baja California, its tropical moisture will continue to drift north, fueling intense downpours and possible flooding across the Southwest.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Unfortunately, Bradley forgets a little thing called search history.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
15 Oct. 2025
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Additional humor comes from a very broad Farmiga, but the series forgets that Barbara exists for long stretches and rarely benefits from her presence.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The intense coddling and dysfunction within the family come to a head at the end of the show opener when a drunken Paul crashes a boat, killing his best friend’s girlfriend, Mallory (Madeline Popovich), and injuring all on board.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
15 Oct. 2025
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Send Help centers on co-workers Linda (McAdams) and Bradley (O’Brien), who find themselves as the only survivors on a deserted island after their plane crashes on the way to a company event.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When large and small crowds in large and small towns gather respectfully, even exuberantly, to register their response to the country’s direction, measuring newsworthiness by body count or damage tallies misses the critical story.—
Nancy Gibbs,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
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That is the Sitake way, the head coach who never misses an opportunity to dance on the field after wins or sing along with his players in the meeting room.—
Christopher Kamrani,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That’s where Logano’s optimism fades.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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Tailgating Tips Getting it Right Clemson’s shady campus is leafy and green in August and September, turning red and gold as summer fades to fall.—
Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fails. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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