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

Witchel, who built physics simulations to predict athletic injury before pivoting to cognitive care, argues that statistical AI fails at the individual level. — Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

In turn, there is a perception that the endeavor is one big cash grab, one that is not worth the risk of embarrassment if the film fails critically and/or commercially. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 31 July 2026

At times, the 19-year-old can look frustrated on the pitch when a team-mate fails to find him or if one of his skills doesn’t come off. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Nonproliferation experts have raised concerns that the deal fails to include guardrails to prevent enrichment of uranium to weapons-grade levels. — Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Lucy fails to correct the Callaghans at the right moment and becomes progressively more enmeshed with the quirky family. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026

Alas, where Hollywood currently fails us, literature still provides hope. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026

If Apple's appeal fails, Danaher shareholders get a very nice cash injection that isn't factored into the stock price today. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 16 July 2026

Regular outages occur when equipment fails or power lines are damaged, cutting electricity to homes and businesses unexpectedly. — Brian Carlton, Baltimore Sun, 16 July 2026