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
That last-minute development is reviving debate about the extent of state support for Vanke, one of the last major developers to have avoided an outright default after a broader property market slump sparked record debt failures in recent years.
—
Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
Studies show that hot spots cause 22 percent of PV module failures within just three years of operation.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
To address licensing failures like those identified in Esparto, the task force said parts of the regulatory framework would need to be shifted from statute to Cal Fire oversight, according to the task force.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Alex McDowell, a local plumber, says pipe bursts and system failures spike whenever temperatures fall below freezing.
—Leondra Head, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
To prevent such system failures, the full AI supply chain must be protected.
—Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
That Board produced a two-volume report, which also found that a set of technical and human failures led to the astronauts' deaths.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Government admits failures of Army pilots A few legal revelations have been unveiled in the weeks leading up to the board meeting, which could create longer term impact on the Army and other agencies involved.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
In her home, mistakes aren’t failures.
—Danielle Marie Holland, Parents, 27 Jan. 2026
Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
Studies show that hot spots cause 22 percent of PV module failures within just three years of operation.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
To address licensing failures like those identified in Esparto, the task force said parts of the regulatory framework would need to be shifted from statute to Cal Fire oversight, according to the task force.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Alex McDowell, a local plumber, says pipe bursts and system failures spike whenever temperatures fall below freezing.
—Leondra Head, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
To prevent such system failures, the full AI supply chain must be protected.
—Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
That Board produced a two-volume report, which also found that a set of technical and human failures led to the astronauts' deaths.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Government admits failures of Army pilots A few legal revelations have been unveiled in the weeks leading up to the board meeting, which could create longer term impact on the Army and other agencies involved.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
In her home, mistakes aren’t failures.
—Danielle Marie Holland, Parents, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failures
Noun
-
In their last two defeats, the Razorbacks (11-11, 0-7 SEC) hung tight with Georgia and LSU for three quarters.—
Ethan Westerman,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Coming off one of their most lopsided defeats of the season, the Celtics capitalized on an ideal get-right opportunity Friday night.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
An extended shutdown could put more pressure on that fund, especially if FEMA must respond to new disasters.—
Meg Kinnard,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
And more extreme weather means costlier disasters for American communities, from tracking warning signs to running clean up in the aftermath.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Staffing shortages identified years ago continue to undermine security and basic operations.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The delivery comes as Ukraine leans heavily on drones to offset shortages in traditional missiles and aircraft.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Forbes senior contributor Pamela Danziger writes that even though the news is full of retail bankruptcies and store closures, in-person shopping is seeing a comeback.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
South Africa faced a skills shortage and business bankruptcies soared.—
Eve Fairbanks,
The Dial,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The plethora of fourth-quarter collapses offers refuting evidence.—
Sam McDowell
January 27,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2026
-
When software can be created, modified, and extended through natural language, the cost of variety collapses.—
John Sviokla,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Clutch play Bolton outlined one of his biggest disappointments during a postseason media session with reporters in January.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Oswaldo Pinto is accustomed to disappointments during shopping excursions to buy food for his family.—
Mery Mogollon,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Economic theory would suggest that the best place to make a major investment such as a STAR bond would be in a place that has low, or lacks, economic activity.—
Sofi Zeman
January 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The 6-2, 2-00-pounder lacks experience but does boast ideal length and versatility and currently projects as a late-round selection or free agent.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The index reflects these setbacks.—
Chelsea Follett,
Oc Register,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Friday’s ruling is among several setbacks for the president’s executive order, which has faced multiple lawsuits.—
Tom Verdin,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failures. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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