Synonyms of falls flat

falls flat

phrase

present tense third-person singular of fall flat

1

as in collapses

to be unsuccessful

Her performance fell flat despite weeks of rehearsing.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapses
• fails
• flops
• falls short
• folds
• struggles
• lays an egg
• bombs
• misses
• strikes out
• comes to grief
• tanks
• founders
• comes up empty
• falls on one's face
• comes a cropper
• flames out
• washes out
• flunks
• dies on the vine
• craters
• declines
• crashes
• slips
• goes under
• skids
• slumps
• flounders
• crumbles
• wanes
• miscarries
• misfires
• sinks
• implodes
• self-destructs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• goes
• goes over
• works out
• comes off
• succeeds
• delivers
• clicks
• cooks
• flourishes
• thrives
• pans out
• prevails
• wins
• prospers
• triumphs

2

as in falls short

to go wrong

Their game plan fell flat when their star player suffered an injury.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• falls short
• fails
• comes to grief
• misfires
• stalls
• miscarries
• comes a cropper
• dies
• struggles
• misses
• flops
• founders
• crashes
• folds
• breaks down
• tanks
• skids
• bombs
• flounders
• slips
• conks (out)
• slumps
• fizzles
• wanes
• flames out
• busts
• washes out
• flunks
• declines

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prevails
• succeeds
• flourishes
• thrives
• prospers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of falls flat

Then there’s the dubious CGI, which falls flat compared with the practical stunt work and effects that gave the first three films so much of their tactile charm. — Frank Deruggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026

The overly matchy look combined with the heaviness of the red-toned stain on cherry wood looks tired and falls flat design-wise. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2026

On the downside, the Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) isn’t fleshed out enough and the chemistry between Bale and Katie Holmes, as an assistant DA and the childhood friend of Bruce’s, falls flat. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

The Song of Ice and Fire, passed down from one Targaryen king to another all these years, falls flat here. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026