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 city, however, maintains that failing to microchip or spay or neuter a dog violates city ordinances but falls short of abuse. — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Thoughtful enforcement and clear expectations strengthen public trust and help distinguish responsible operators from those who may fall short. — Jeff Cook, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026

The 2025 Toyota bZ was also an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ award winner, but the 2026 version fell short of the organization's most stringent recent round of testing. — Keith Laing, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026

The court's order still falls short of resolving the legality of the rule, and the litigation will continue. — Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026