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

Companies use self-service technology to cut costs, but risk losing customers when the technology fails without human support. — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 10 July 2026

If that fails, the Yankees still have some internal ways of improving their pen, at least theoretically. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026

If Meta fails to make changes to comply with the EU’s Digital Services Act, the company risks fines up to 6 percent of its global annual turnover when the EC makes its final decision in the coming months. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

According to reports, the Social Security retirement trust fund is projected to be depleted in less than 6 years in 2032, and the Medicare’s Hospital Insurance Trust Fund is projected to be depleted in 2033 if Congress fails to act. — Kaysia Earley, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

Offers accounts receivable coverage, which protects against losses if your customer fails to pay. — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 9 July 2026

This quotation rejects the notion that Hartig, or the Smithsonian more broadly, fails to properly celebrate American history. — Marc Stein, Time, 8 July 2026

First, prosecutors could petition the court for forfeiture 30 days after a defendant fails to appear in court. — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Sometimes, cyclospora infections appear to go away and then return, as the body fails to fully fight off the infection. — Eva Flowe july 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026