Synonyms of fall short

fall short

phrase

1

as in collapse

to be unsuccessful

The movie fell short of its viewers' expectations.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapse
• fail
• flop
• fold
• struggle
• strike out
• miss
• fall flat
• come to grief
• bomb
• lay an egg
• come up empty
• flame out
• tank
• wash out
• come a cropper
• die on the vine
• founder
• flunk
• crater
• fall on one's face
• decline
• crash
• slip
• go under
• slump
• skid
• crumble
• flounder
• wane
• sink
• misfire
• miscarry
• implode
• self-destruct

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• go
• go over
• succeed
• deliver
• work out
• click
• pan out
• come off
• cook
• thrive
• flourish
• triumph
• win
• prevail
• prosper

2

as in come to grief

to go wrong

The biography falls short by neglecting to explore the subject's faults as well as his virtues.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• come to grief
• fail
• fall flat
• stall
• come a cropper
• misfire
• die
• miss
• miscarry
• struggle
• flop
• founder
• fold
• crash
• wash out
• break down
• tank
• flame out
• bomb
• skid
• slump
• conk (out)
• slip
• flounder
• bust
• flunk
• wane
• decline
• fizzle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• succeed
• prevail
• thrive
• flourish
• prosper

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fall short

At first, the board fell short of the simple majority needed for a quorum. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

But his attempts to get in touch with the company keep falling short. — Barry Levitt, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Even when the material falls short of their talents, Erivo and Grande keep For Good afloat. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026

If insurance falls short, the third line involves strategic litigation defense, aiming to settle cases early to minimize costs and uncertainty. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026