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

During more than 2,600 test interactions, researchers found inaccurate answers, weak sources, and serious safety failures. — Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Rather than actual service failures, those logistical wrinkles serve as reminders that beneath the polished five-star veneer sits a functioning medical practice attempting to reconcile luxury hospitality with individualized medicine. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026

The public narrative around Lindsay Clancy has focused on systemic failures—blaming the mental health system for not doing enough. — Dr. Susan Hatters Friedman, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Everyone, especially staff, should be standing up on these safety failures. — Olivia Young, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Last year Lee was questioned by legislators after the audit found staffing shortages and process failures had left thousands of cases inadequately investigated, including serious injuries and deaths. — Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026

The uncomfortable implication is that the most dangerous credibility failures are not the ones where we are obviously fooled by something implausible. — Big Think, 21 Aug. 2026

The handful of minor failures with the Falcon 9 have centered on the rocket’s single-use upper stage. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026

The failures of Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns’ major offseason shakeup are felt most acutely at first base and second base. — Will Sammon, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026