Synonyms of failures

failures

noun

plural of failure

1

as in defeats

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

• defeats
• collapses
• setbacks
• crashes
• disappointments
• deficiencies
• futilities
• croppers
• inadequacies
• nonachievements
• fizzles
• nonsuccesses
• insufficiencies
• letdowns
• inefficacies
• ineffectualities

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• successes
• achievements
• accomplishments
• victories
• wins

2

as in disasters

something that has failed

the students' first attempt to build a homemade rocket was a disappointing failure

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disasters
• disappointments
• catastrophes
• bombs
• losers
• busts
• fiascoes
• shipwrecks
• flops
• debacles
• misses
• washouts
• frosts
• duds
• lemons
• messes
• clinkers
• bummers
• turkeys
• clunkers
• fizzles
• dogs
• shambles
• hashes
• botches
• near misses
• has-beens
• also-rans
• nonevents
• muddles
• nonstarters

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• successes
• hits
• winners
• blockbusters
• phenomena
• smashes
• dandies
• corkers
• crackerjacks
• jim-dandies

3

as in shortages

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

• shortages
• lacks
• deficiencies
• inadequacies
• deficits
• insufficiencies
• absences
• droughts
• lacunae
• scarcities
• famines
• poverties
• omissions
• undersupplies
• wants
• dearths
• paucities
• crunches
• pinches
• necessities
• needs
• privations

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adequacies
• sufficiencies
• amplitudes
• abundances
• excesses
• wealths
• plenties
• plenitudes
• surpluses
• opulences
• oversupplies
• surfeits
• overabundances

4

as in bankruptcies

the inability to pay one's debts

years of prolonged economic depression, when business failures were common

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bankruptcies
• ruins
• insolvencies
• Chapter 11s

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• solvencies

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of failures

The disclosure could deepen scrutiny of the security failures surrounding the flight after officials revealed the Omani co-pilot had previously been barred from flying in his home country over concerns about his extremist views. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026

But let’s also be clear that the General Assembly shares responsibility for the failures. — Dr. Matthew Warshauer, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026

Questions about security failures But as the initial euphoria of the rescue has subsided, officials have begun to raise difficult questions and trade accusations about the security blunders that could have led to a major disaster. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

There's the systematic failures that happened in Cornell are happening in other campuses as well. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

Secret sea route Sources within Machado’s camp say the recent failures were only the latest chapter in an effort that began months ago. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

These are just a few examples of emergency communications failures described in a new, comprehensive review of the deadly fires. — Evan Bush, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

What readers are saying The comments reflect a strong criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with many accusing him of being responsible for security failures and likening him to a war criminal. — Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026

An energy utility authority deploys an AI system to predict equipment failures across its grid. — Olufunsho Peters, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026