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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fails
The Pentagon is reportedly planning for the possibility of sustained weeks-long operations against Iran if diplomacy fails and the president opts to attack.
—
CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026
If Congress fails to take any action before insolvency hits, Social Security benefits would be paid only with revenue that comes in.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Texas has both the right and the responsibility to act when the federal government fails to enforce the law.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Focus on High-Visibility Areas When all else fails, simply focus on the areas that are most visible.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Attempt to add clergy fails Earlier Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee voted 8-3 to defeat a bill that would have added clergy to the list of mandatory reporters.
—Seth Tupper & John Hult, States Newsroom, 12 Feb. 2026
But if that process fails, Eddie Bauer shops in the US and Canada operated by the LLC could close, the company noted.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Sometimes the figure tries and fails to stand up, slapping itself with floppy, almost boneless limbs.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Trump has threatened more sanctions and tariffs on Russia if Moscow fails to make a deal with Ukraine to end its war, which this month will turn four years old.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026
If Congress fails to take any action before insolvency hits, Social Security benefits would be paid only with revenue that comes in.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Texas has both the right and the responsibility to act when the federal government fails to enforce the law.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Focus on High-Visibility Areas When all else fails, simply focus on the areas that are most visible.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Attempt to add clergy fails Earlier Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee voted 8-3 to defeat a bill that would have added clergy to the list of mandatory reporters.
—Seth Tupper & John Hult, States Newsroom, 12 Feb. 2026
But if that process fails, Eddie Bauer shops in the US and Canada operated by the LLC could close, the company noted.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Sometimes the figure tries and fails to stand up, slapping itself with floppy, almost boneless limbs.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Trump has threatened more sanctions and tariffs on Russia if Moscow fails to make a deal with Ukraine to end its war, which this month will turn four years old.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fails
Verb
-
Hesbach said that bumble bees are often frequently bought online to pollinate fruit crops, but that their population dies each winter.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The state attorney general's office has taken over the investigation, which is standard practice when a person dies during a police encounter.—
Nick Caloway,
CBS News,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Later in the film, as Cristian’s father disappears for long stretches of time seeking temporary work, Cristian pulls out a child-sized onesie from the closet in Olga’s guest room; her face collapses, her reaction indicating some palpable trauma the filmmaker doesn’t deign to overexplain.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2026
-
In it, a late-night talk show host, who is facing possible cancellation, collapses and dies on air, plunging the production into chaos.—
Angela Lian,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When looking for hairspiration, model Soo Joo Park never disappoints.—
Krista Carter,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
-
If someone disappoints, remember that is on them and is no reflection on you.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cutting the International Affairs Budget (which includes USAID) weakens our global leadership and can leave preventable crises to become a problem later on.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
That pattern weakens the polar vortex’s grip on cold air, allowing Arctic air to spill into the central and southern United States.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Houston Chronicle,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But what such a vision forgets is that democracy is not merely the aggregation of preferences.—
Deb Roy,
The Atlantic,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Jason’s dessert with the guests threatens to cause more fighting in the galley since Alesia forgets to tell Ben until the very last moment that the captain is supposed to join them.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If none of these private stations pans out, the only LEO outpost left when the ISS crashes back to Earth will likely be Tiangong, the three-module station that China finished building in late 2022.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The Philadelphia Parking Authority is launching a pilot program to reduce traffic speeds and crashes around several city schools.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The consumer misses information about a large rate increase.—
Dave Lieber,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
That framing misses what this effort means for families in our community.—
Shane Strum,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Singleton acknowledged that sustaining the coordinated, multi-agency model beyond the World Cup will be difficult once the spotlight fades.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The continent’s funds have seen steady inflows over the last 12 months, after years of outflows, as pessimism over Europe’s economy fades.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fails. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
