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
Dave and a rotating cast of smart, thought-provoking guests talk about their inspirations, failures, successes, fame, and identities.
—
Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
After 11 test flights, six successful and five failures, SpaceX achieved a major milestone with the final V2 launch.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
In addition to these failures, genetics also plays a role.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 15 Oct. 2025
Blackie and Berta tried to kill Dale, and Allen killed them for their failure.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
After 11 test flights, six successful and five failures, SpaceX achieved a major milestone with the final V2 launch.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
In addition to these failures, genetics also plays a role.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 15 Oct. 2025
Blackie and Berta tried to kill Dale, and Allen killed them for their failure.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failure
Noun
-
The immunity would not apply in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the dispatcher.—
Jessie Opoien,
jsonline.com,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The catching of a culprit—more than three decades after the fact, without forensic evidence or eyewitnesses—was heralded as an overdue reparation for police negligence and as a civil-rights milestone for Australia’s gay community.—
Eren Orbey,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Debate rages on in Pennsylvania as to whether the Eagles offense is too predictable, or simply ineffective after the Eagles lost their second straight game last week, an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Giants on Thursday Night Football.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
17 Oct. 2025
-
In the 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United, the approach was more akin to what Tottenham fans might have been used to seeing in the Europa League last season, when Postecoglou took a more pragmatic outlook.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Because of its proximity to the stadium, Panoramic Hill is often first in line for disaster preparedness measures, including the thinning of brush and eucalyptus trees on the hill, Berkeley resident Kevin Casey said.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
And why this all might be a financial and environmental disaster waiting to happen.—
NPR,
NPR,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Recovering and processing that gas, instead of wasting it, could ease Iraq's chronic power shortages.—
Emma Graham,
CNBC,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The outbreak was forcing a shortage of eggs as well, leading some grocers to restrict how many dozens of eggs consumers could buy per visit.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Nonetheless, the bank’s share price has plunged over 20% since the bankruptcy unfolded last month.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Traders are certainly growing more worried about potentially bad loans, as two recent bankruptcies have suggested that lending standards may have relaxed too much.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the long, hot summer of 1967, uprisings broke out across more than 150 cities after years of police abuse, segregation, and neglect.—
Josiah Bates,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Jaguar stopped building the XK in 2014, and Infiniti quietly closed the coffin on the Q60 in 2022 after years of neglect.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But officials reported the collapse took down power lines and utility poles in the area caused power failure to surrounding homes and businesses.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
-
One of them was there’s a real stadium collapse, a terrible story, that this was inspired by.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Other issues brought up at the meeting included ongoing construction, public safety and a lack of sufficient workforce housing.—
Mars King,
Twin Cities,
17 Oct. 2025
-
D’Alleva Valas said the biggest barrier for women, though, isn’t a lack of knowledge.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failure. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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