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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disasters
something that has failed
the students' first attempt to build a homemade rocket was a disappointing failure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bankruptcies
the inability to pay one's debts
years of prolonged economic depression, when business failures were common
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of failures
Canepa has accused Irizarry of running a toxic workplace and argued that a recent $20 million property tax refund settlement with Genentech highlights the department’s failures.
—
Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Investigators examined whether the accident was caused by anchoring failures or equipment malfunction.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Or, invest in a generator that can keep your AC running during power failures.
—Kat Tretina, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Now that Michael Jackson is too big to fail, and no longer a living man with mortal flaws and moral failures weighing him down, selling the aura is inevitable.
—Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 3 June 2026
Plaintiffs claim there were failures in security planning, communication, and technology at the event.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Advertisement In regard to homelessness, a key concern in the Golden State, Becerra has framed the issue as the result of policy failures in regards to both housing supplies and accountability.
—Philip Wang, Time, 2 June 2026
The failures have been woven into the national psyche.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The next generation of enterprise failures will not come from AI making irrational decisions.
—Emma McGrattan, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Investigators examined whether the accident was caused by anchoring failures or equipment malfunction.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Or, invest in a generator that can keep your AC running during power failures.
—Kat Tretina, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Now that Michael Jackson is too big to fail, and no longer a living man with mortal flaws and moral failures weighing him down, selling the aura is inevitable.
—Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 3 June 2026
Plaintiffs claim there were failures in security planning, communication, and technology at the event.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Advertisement In regard to homelessness, a key concern in the Golden State, Becerra has framed the issue as the result of policy failures in regards to both housing supplies and accountability.
—Philip Wang, Time, 2 June 2026
The failures have been woven into the national psyche.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The next generation of enterprise failures will not come from AI making irrational decisions.
—Emma McGrattan, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failures
Noun
-
The Stars have lost four of their last five matches, getting outscored 11-0 in the four defeats.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
-
For the British in North America, the war begun in 1754 had included a series of defeats, a relentless struggle against people who knew the terrain and who linked arms with the French.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
For all the negative coverage, aesthetic arguments about climbing styles, the controversies and disasters, Everest continues to be at the heart of so many dreams and ambitions — even for old hands, like Cotter.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
The third challenge is time pressure, especially in areas recovering from disasters.—
Cyril PETIT,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The Democratic Alliance — the ANC’s main opponent in November polls despite its role as a ruling partner in the national government — is likely to benefit from the water shortages.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
1 June 2026
-
The consequence of the effect on fertilizer is higher food costs—and perhaps even food shortages.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
In the 12 months ended in April, Fitch clocked 99 defaults of various kinds, including interest payment deferrals, maturity extensions under duress, and payments-in-kind instead of cash, as well as more conventional bankruptcies, liquidations and debt-equity swaps.—
Tobias Burns,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
-
Lawrence takes readers behind the scenes, showing how near-bankruptcies, legal hurdles, rapid growth, and a pandemic tested his leadership and ultimately shaped his vision.—
Forbes Books Press Release Official,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
The results mark one of the sharpest polling collapses of any modern president.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
The robot stops, availability collapses and trust erodes.—
John Wall,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
That’s been one of the main disappointments of this season.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Her compelling personal perspective on 40-plus years of post-Revolutionary Iran provides a chronicle of great hopes and even greater disappointments.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The Drive The turbo engine gives it the push the standard engine lacks, especially when merging, climbing grades or passing.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Ford’s freedom or constraints, his prejudices or lacks, gauge his moment and ours.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After years of delays and testing setbacks, Dark Eagle has recently gained momentum through successful flight tests and production contracts.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
31 May 2026
-
The recent history of such fiery setbacks is not a positive one for Blue Origin.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failures. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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