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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disaster
something that has failed
the students' first attempt to build a homemade rocket was a disappointing failure
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of failure
Allegations include the use of deception and fraudulent misrepresentation to obtain funds, failure to repay debts and the misappropriation of money.
—
Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 10 Apr. 2025
Our generational failure to meaningfully address the housing crisis is rooted in this inertness.
—Jeff Hobbs, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Perhaps not surprising, given the amount of stress put on it, the bike frame was the most prone to failure, together with the crank and pedals, as well as the handlebars and stem.
—New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2025
The Clayton County sheriff told WSB-TV that Guzman’s release was due to a training failure and lack of attention from employees.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 10 Apr. 2025
Our generational failure to meaningfully address the housing crisis is rooted in this inertness.
—Jeff Hobbs, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Perhaps not surprising, given the amount of stress put on it, the bike frame was the most prone to failure, together with the crank and pedals, as well as the handlebars and stem.
—New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2025
The Clayton County sheriff told WSB-TV that Guzman’s release was due to a training failure and lack of attention from employees.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failure
Noun
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According to the owner’s statement, the shop’s manager was fired for negligence and the facility was professionally cleaned and sanitized.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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Barton had accused Rodriguez and the county of negligence.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The 30-year-old, who has played 29 times for Bournemouth in the Premier League this season, was withdrawn on 58 minutes during his side’s 2-1 defeat at Ipswich Town on April 2.—
Leon Imber,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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Arsenal has been cooking recently, going seven straight matches without a defeat.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Last month, the EU Commission urged its 450 million citizens to stockpile enough food, water and essentials for 72 hours in the event of emergencies like cyberattacks, climate disasters, disease and also geopolitical conflicts.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
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The disaster led to passage of the Federal Coal Mine and Safety Act, which in turn added the miners' surveillance program under the respiratory health division at NIOSH.—
Yuki Noguchi,
NPR,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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With entire flocks culled to prevent the spread of the virus, the egg supply has been strained, leading to shortages in stores and inflated costs for consumers.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
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In the short term, the PC market risks huge price increases along with component shortages if the 145% tariff on Chinese imports persists.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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National chain restaurants file for bankruptcy On The Border is the latest national chain to close restaurants amid bankruptcy.—
Renee Umsted,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2025
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The parent company of satirical newspaper The Onion bought Infowars through a bankruptcy auction in November, but a Texas judge nixed that deal in December, citing a lack of transparency.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Biden administration officials said the staffing rule was intended to limit cases of resident neglect or delays in care.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
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People who’ve grown up with difficult family dynamics, emotional neglect or trauma may find comfort in someone who has walked a similar path.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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At press time, authorities are still investigating the cause of the roof collapse.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
9 Apr. 2025
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The timing of her brand’s launch, coinciding with the collapse of the global economy, created an environment of enormous difficulty.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Still, the Mets have largely been able to overcome a lack of production at the bottom because of a strong bullpen.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2025
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In the European Union, where Temu hopes to further expand, regulators opened an investigation into the company’s practices and products, citing concern over lack of compliance with the Digital Services Act.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failure. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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