1
as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action
your failure to check the batteries in the smoke detector could have tragic results
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in defeat
a falling short of one's goals
the failure of the school's fund-raising drive was a big disappointment to all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disaster
something that has failed
the students' first attempt to build a homemade rocket was a disappointing failure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
the failure of the potato crop had a devastating effect on the population of Ireland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in bankruptcy
the inability to pay one's debts
years of prolonged economic depression, when business failures were common
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of failure
What begins as a story about systemic failures — the difficulty of childcare, the shortcomings of the foster system — contracts into an account of one woman’s trauma response.
—
Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026
Well into middle age by then, the former preschoolers’ lives were established, their successes and failures reasonably certain.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
SpaceX has been continually building and flying iterations of Starship while unafraid of failure, in keeping with the company's philosophy.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 16 June 2026
And equipment failures can require replacing components.
—Sven Bilén, The Conversation, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for failure
Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026
Well into middle age by then, the former preschoolers’ lives were established, their successes and failures reasonably certain.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
SpaceX has been continually building and flying iterations of Starship while unafraid of failure, in keeping with the company's philosophy.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 16 June 2026
And equipment failures can require replacing components.
—Sven Bilén, The Conversation, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for failure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failure
Noun
-
The video of Rodrigues de Freitas falling to her death has gone viral on social media platforms, where internet users are describing her death as a surreal case of negligence.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
Harden was also involved in an incident with a photographer at a Hollywood nightclub where a photographer sued for assault, battery and negligence.—
Zach Powell,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
The Knicks had their 13-game winning streak end in Game 3 and seemed headed for a second straight defeat throughout the first half, when Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs opened the biggest halftime lead by a visiting team in the Finals.—
Tim Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
Knicks lose, chaos ensues Monday's game was the first time in the Finals that the Knicks had lost, and some crowds became downright rowdy at the team's first defeat since late April.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The town had hired consultants to study the feasibility of a complex dike system, hopefully to save it from the next flood disaster.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Communities with limited housing options before disasters become even more constrained afterward.—
Ivis Garcia,
Fortune,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Most of Gaza’s 2 million residents remain displaced amid devastation and severe shortages, as new Israeli strikes on crowded areas kill children and other civilians Israel labels militant targets.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
Fun, frothy page-turners are often the go-to when selecting a book for summer reading, and this year promises no shortage of entertaining titles.—
Suzanne Van Atten,
AJC.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Murphy’s report comes as the state awaits the launch of an auction to find new ownership for Prospect’s Connecticut facilities — one step in the sprawling company’s months-long bankruptcy proceedings.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Farm bankruptcies have roughly doubled, compared to last year.—
Beth Ford,
Time,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Practically overnight, Sylvia’s cozy attitude toward the girl hardens into coolness, impatience and neglect.—
Natalia Winkelman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
-
She was then arrested on a child neglect charge, police said.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Les Olympiens reaffirmed their title credentials by responding with three straight wins, only to repeat their late home collapse against Toulouse before falling at Lille courtesy of an early Ethan Mbappe strike last Friday.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
-
With their predators gone, purple urchin populations exploded beginning around 2014 and have remained one of the key drivers of ongoing kelp collapse.—
Chaewon Chung
December 11,
Sacbee.com,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
England, by my estimation, landed in a tougher than normal group, especially given the size of this World Cup field, but the squad has ridiculous talent and is due for a major run given some recent disappointments.—
Kellis Robinett,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
-
Yet, where the masses saw disappointment, Sakic saw accomplishment.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failure. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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