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
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 failure
The information can also help predict future political instability, since crop failures are a major driver of mass migration all over the world.
—
Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 4 Aug. 2025
Not resolving the matter in a timely manner can ultimately lead to kidney failure, Benaron adds, so don’t delay seeking care.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Aug. 2025
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says exposure to precursor chemicals can irritate a person's breathing, blur vision and, in severe cases, result in respiratory failure.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 4 Aug. 2025
That failure could mean further downside for the Dow, starting with support at 42,500, which is just below the 200-day simple moving average, and a roughly 2.5% drop from Friday’s close, according to a Sunday note from Bank of America Securities.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 4 Aug. 2025
Not resolving the matter in a timely manner can ultimately lead to kidney failure, Benaron adds, so don’t delay seeking care.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Aug. 2025
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says exposure to precursor chemicals can irritate a person's breathing, blur vision and, in severe cases, result in respiratory failure.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 4 Aug. 2025
That failure could mean further downside for the Dow, starting with support at 42,500, which is just below the 200-day simple moving average, and a roughly 2.5% drop from Friday’s close, according to a Sunday note from Bank of America Securities.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failure
Noun
-
The suit alleged wrongful detention, false arrest, battery and excessive force against the San Diego police officers who arrested and transported Hartsfield, and negligence against the unidentified sheriff’s employees who allegedly shared his booking photo with his co-worker.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott and the city’s council filed the first major lawsuit against the duo a month after the accident took place, alleging criminal negligence.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
That’s twice as many defeats as victories in games decided by a single run.—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
That game also ended up being a soul-crushing loss for the reeling Bombers, as other newbies Camilo Doval, David Bednar and José Caballero also played pivotal parts in the defeat.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
During times of year when there are fewer weather disasters, the agency receives fewer calls and can choose to spend less money staffing call centers.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
-
When a data disaster occurs, many IT professionals and system administrators focus on selecting powerful data recovery software or hiring professional services.—
Chongwei Chen,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The idea for Draft One came from staffing shortages that Axon’s police department clients were facing, Isner said.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Companies are experimenting with deep-sea tech to produce cheaper fresh water From Cape Town to Tehran to Lima to Phoenix, dozens of cities across the globe have experienced water shortages recently.—
Vanessa Bates Ramirez,
Scientific American,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The ear piercings and teen fashion accessories store based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, near Chicago, has continued to struggle since a 2018 bankruptcy filing, reports show.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The bankruptcies come as the industry is down approximately 15 percent in volumes carried compared to 2022, according to Old Dominion chief financial officer Adam Satterfield.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Her charges include one count of child neglect, three counts of felony animal neglect and four counts of misdemeanor animal neglect, and her bond is set at $36,000.—
Elizabeth Pritchett,
FOXNews.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
She was initially charged with child neglect and obstruction, and later charged with murder.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This may become more urgent if important European manufacturers look to be in danger of collapse at the expense of Chinese success.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Rose Byrne stars as Linda, a therapist who is grappling with her daughter’s mysterious illness that prevents her from eating normally while her husband is out of town on business and their apartment teeters on the edge of literal collapse.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
People are getting more and more frustrated because of the inaction, because of the lack of coordination among themselves, lack of coordination with the government and bureaucracy, government and police, government and judiciary.—
Shamim Chowdhury,
NPR,
5 Aug. 2025
-
But due to a lack of a quorum caused by the Democrats’ absence, the chamber adjourned until 1 p.m. Tuesday.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failure. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share