1
as in dies
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fails
If an insurer fails to meet these requirements, regulators can intervene by implementing corrective measures, restricting operations, or placing the company under supervision.
—
True Tamplin, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
The continuing resolution also fails to fund the Toxic Exposure Fund, Mrvan said, which puts health care for veterans — especially those exposed to toxic burn pits, Agent Orange and radiation — at risk.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Given the crucial role insurance plays in financial security—whether for life, health, property, or disability—understanding what happens if an insurer fails is essential.
—True Tamplin, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
If all of that fails to convert anyone into a Gene Kloss fan, lastly, there’s this.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
All three would probably be gone if the club fails to reach the top four.
—Manuel Veth, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
In addition, overreliance on AI agents could cause human actors to be simply incapable of doing the tasks that were previously carried out by the agent when the machine catastrophically fails.
—Julius Černiauskas, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
When a transformative president leaves office, successors from his party work to apply his vision to new problems until, eventually, this governing program fails to offer plausible solutions to the problems of the day.
—Justin Peck / Made By History, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
The word because, which indicates explanation, utterly fails to explain.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
True Tamplin, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
The continuing resolution also fails to fund the Toxic Exposure Fund, Mrvan said, which puts health care for veterans — especially those exposed to toxic burn pits, Agent Orange and radiation — at risk.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Given the crucial role insurance plays in financial security—whether for life, health, property, or disability—understanding what happens if an insurer fails is essential.
—True Tamplin, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
If all of that fails to convert anyone into a Gene Kloss fan, lastly, there’s this.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
All three would probably be gone if the club fails to reach the top four.
—Manuel Veth, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
In addition, overreliance on AI agents could cause human actors to be simply incapable of doing the tasks that were previously carried out by the agent when the machine catastrophically fails.
—Julius Černiauskas, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
When a transformative president leaves office, successors from his party work to apply his vision to new problems until, eventually, this governing program fails to offer plausible solutions to the problems of the day.
—Justin Peck / Made By History, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
The word because, which indicates explanation, utterly fails to explain.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fails
Verb
-
When an individual dies, the body starts naturally decomposing almost immediately.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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Much like a proper Neapolitan pizza lives or dies by its crust, great breakfast tacos depend on the quality of the tortilla.—
Edmund Tijerina,
Bon Appétit,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The next 12 months will determine whether the music industry thrives or collapses under the weight of AI.—
Virginie Berger,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
-
The bailiff then fires at least six shots and Butler collapses on the ground.—
Violet Ikonomova,
Detroit Free Press,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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An easy monetary policy typically weakens a country’s currency, making exports cheaper and potentially supports growth in the face of tariffs.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
23 Dec. 2024
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Doing so weakens your home's heating system and is a fire hazard.—
Rabekah Henderson,
Southern Living,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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But what happens when a broadcasting channel misses the most crucial part of the action?—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
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Use Airtable to track client progress, then set up an automation in Zapier to alert you when a client misses two sessions in a row or stops completing tasks.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The same goes for fans, who root for the name on the front of the jerseys but have little time to bond with the guys filling them.—
Childs Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Mar. 2025
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What kind of preparation goes into that?—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, the jail struggles to provide adequate food, and unsanitary food distribution practices have left detainees vulnerable to malnutrition, pest infestations and other harms.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
4 Jan. 2025
-
But Moore sometimes struggles to take responsibility in the way expected of leaders.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
This Little Unicorn beach blanket folds up to just 15 inches long and weighs only 3 pounds.—
Olivia Bria,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Feb. 2025
-
For most of the runtime, Walker-Silverman’s film is almost so conflict-averse as to be unseasonably gentle, but eventually, Dusty finally folds under the burden of his grief.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
27 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fails. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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