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
Antoine Johnson, a kidney failure patient on a mission to find more transplant donors and raise awareness, collaborated with Spicybears for a special bag.
—
Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
In the ruling, the appeals court ruled that one of Francis’ decrees amounted to a law, and that Francis’ failure to publish it nullified it.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
The California Department of Education has sued the Oakland Unified School District over an alleged failure to address multiple complaints of antisemitism across its campuses.
—Vani Sanganeria, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
This was the 11th launch from the Space Coast in 2023 and 300th successful Falcon 9 launch since its debut in 2010, having only had one mid-launch failure in 2015.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for failure
Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
In the ruling, the appeals court ruled that one of Francis’ decrees amounted to a law, and that Francis’ failure to publish it nullified it.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
The California Department of Education has sued the Oakland Unified School District over an alleged failure to address multiple complaints of antisemitism across its campuses.
—Vani Sanganeria, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
This was the 11th launch from the Space Coast in 2023 and 300th successful Falcon 9 launch since its debut in 2010, having only had one mid-launch failure in 2015.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for failure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failure
Noun
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The owner of Cosentino, a Spanish quartz-slab giant being sued by Peña and many workers, received a six-month prison sentence for gross negligence in 2023.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Just one of the complaints, a general negligence suit, names Santorio as a defendant.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Tuesday’s 83-79 overtime loss to Washington in the Big Ten tournament, the Trojans’ eighth straight defeat, brought to a close what USC coach Eric Musselman called the toughest stretch of his coaching career.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Porro and Van de Ven appeared to clash with the away fans following January’s defeat by Bournemouth.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Rushing through your plans is a recipe for disaster, so avoid attempting to multitask.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The disaster led to an extensive decontamination effort to clean up nuclear material dispersed when conventional explosives in the hydrogen bombs detonated after hitting the ground.—
Kim Tong-Hyung,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Fuel shortages have forced authorities to impose rolling electricity outages across the country and limit some public services.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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The same sources also say the brand hasn't made significant profit from the phone, as costs remained high and kept rising amid the global memory shortage.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The trouble began in September of last year via the back-to-back bankruptcies of two companies fueled by loads of cheap debt subprime auto lender Tricolor, and car-part-maker First Brands.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
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In a February report, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles found that the likelihood of personal bankruptcy rose 25% to 30% in the years after a state legalized online sports gambling.—
Suzanne King,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Vasarely’s grandson Pierre Vasarely took over the reins as CEO in 2009, and although the museum’s building was designated as a historic monument in 2013, neglect had taken its toll.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
16 Mar. 2026
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Researchers linked later chronic gut issues to untreated maternal depression before and soon after birth, as well as early-childhood abuse and neglect.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In New York City, the collapse hasn’t been so dire; production has reached roughly 50 percent of its mid-2000s apex, according to one analysis.—
M. Nolan Gray,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
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There’s also a whole bunch of stress building up over in Trauma 2 thanks to the ever-present tension between Langdon and Santos, which hits new heights when they’re forced to work on one of the victims of a slide collapse at a waterpark.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The lack of snow has water providers across the state enacting drought restrictions or preparing to do so.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
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While Havana is signaling a willingness to allow foreign investment, many in the community remain skeptical, citing decades of political control and lack of economic transparency.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failure. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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