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

The article highlights three key problems doctors can learn from the World Cup teams that fell short. — Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Previous leadership had bet on returning GE to its industrial roots via equipment for gas, steam, and other forms of power generation, but the pivot backfired as energy demand fell short and wind and solar grabbed share. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 July 2026

In our testing, the Galaxy Watch 8 fell short of that estimate, lasting for 26 hours between charges. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 23 July 2026

Despite appeals to authorities, Ashaninka and other Indigenous people say the Brazilian government's help falls short. — ABC News, 23 July 2026