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
• fulfils
• 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
• fulfils
• practises
• complies (with)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fails

Republicans, Democrats at a standstill Government shutdowns occur when Congress fails to pass the 12 annual appropriations bills required to fund federal agencies. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

When someone fails to pay a bill, the creditor that provided the service — whether for a garage door repair, a car loan, or medical care — can take the debtor to court. —Rae Ellen Bichell, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025

And then there is Sunnei, the smaller, independent unisex label by Loris Messina and Simone Rizzo, which never fails to entertain guests with its tongue-in-cheek show formats. —Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025

If those two paychecks are at the median wage, with 0% mortgages, this combination fails to meet the 30% maximum in just three places. —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025

Engineering electrolyte’s co-solvent However, their performance often fails at the interface between the electrode and the liquid electrolyte. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025

Kylie Jenner never fails to deliver a jaw-dropping style moment. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025

When Congress fails to pass a budget, shutdowns may occur. —Owen Clarke, Outside, 26 Sep. 2025

When crop acreage fails to turn a profit year after year, farmers may be incentivized to sell the land. —Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Sep. 2025