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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fails
The Shift from Profit to Purpose While most companies are in the business of making money, history shows that greed as a business strategy often fails.
—
Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
And if all else fails, throw a boneless rib eye or skirt steak in the freezer until firm and use a sharp knife to slice it yourself.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Based on those warnings, health officials can switch treatment strategies before a drug fails completely.
—Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
Risk increases if the stock breaks below the 50-day and fails to quickly reclaim it, particularly given how extended price is from the 200-day.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
Tuason and company deserve to be commended for telling a narrative film on such a small scale, but the finished product fails to deliver a conclusion that’s scary enough to justify its lethargic, slow-burn format.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2026
And if all else fails, find help, including from neighbors and family or hiring someone.
—Manahil Ahmad, The Providence Journal, 25 Jan. 2026
The state’s latest energy plan fails to recognize and remedy this and portends a bleak, costly energy future, not to mention more pollution and higher health care costs.
—Anshul Gupta, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Holly added that any topic related to her wedding never fails to bring tears to her father's eyes.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
And if all else fails, throw a boneless rib eye or skirt steak in the freezer until firm and use a sharp knife to slice it yourself.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Based on those warnings, health officials can switch treatment strategies before a drug fails completely.
—Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
Risk increases if the stock breaks below the 50-day and fails to quickly reclaim it, particularly given how extended price is from the 200-day.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
Tuason and company deserve to be commended for telling a narrative film on such a small scale, but the finished product fails to deliver a conclusion that’s scary enough to justify its lethargic, slow-burn format.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2026
And if all else fails, find help, including from neighbors and family or hiring someone.
—Manahil Ahmad, The Providence Journal, 25 Jan. 2026
The state’s latest energy plan fails to recognize and remedy this and portends a bleak, costly energy future, not to mention more pollution and higher health care costs.
—Anshul Gupta, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Holly added that any topic related to her wedding never fails to bring tears to her father's eyes.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fails
Verb
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When the media are corrupted and play with the truth regarding political and ideological agendas, democracy dies.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
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For example, perennials with remaining greenery should have no problem regrowing in spring, as their foliage dies back for winter anyway.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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What’s becoming harder to ignore is who appears to be benefiting when oversight collapses.—
Jennifer Nassour,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
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Fernandina gangway collapses during 4th of July fireworks The cause of the deck collapse is under investigation.—
Teresa Stepzinski,
Florida Times-Union,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Best Amazon Designer Shoes Deals Last but not least, Amazon's designer shoe section never disappoints.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
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Brooklinen’s high-quality bedding never disappoints, and their down comforter is no exception.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When CEOs treat financial advice as a substitute for judgment, leadership starts to erode, decisions slow down, and conviction weakens.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Trump’s focus on the Western Hemisphere — as a show of might that weakens China’s geostrategic influence, Nikkei wrote.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In making introductions, Francesca freezes, then forgets her own name.—
Emily Kelleher,
InStyle,
15 Jan. 2026
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Nobody forgets their first Dead show, and mine was in 1986 in Alpine Valley, Wisconsin.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On the flight the plane encounters a vicious storm, tears apart and crashes.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
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But boundless entitlement and a gift for micromanagement can’t save him when their plane crashes in the Gulf of Thailand.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Chasing virality over community misses the point.—
Jonathan Kleeman,
Rolling Stone,
28 Jan. 2026
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The narrative of green software solving energy constraints misses the physics.—
Jon Markman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That relatively minor problem fades into the background when he’s suddenly called back to his hometown to raise an estranged teenage daughter (Hannah Elise Adolfsen Fjeldbraaten) who doesn’t want to know him.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
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For most people, the effect is mild and fades as your body processes the caffeine.—
Brandi Jones,
Verywell Health,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fails. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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