Synonyms of falls short

falls short

phrase

present tense third-person singular of fall short

1

as in fails

to be unsuccessful

The movie fell short of its viewers' expectations.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in falls flat

to go wrong

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prevails
• succeeds
• thrives
• flourishes
• prospers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of falls short

The agreement falls short of the entertainment industry’s goal of a full exemption from a $5 million annual cap on corporate tax credits, according to multiple sources. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026

But Hastings argued that getting too close makes employees feel protected, even when their performance falls short. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026

Boston’s 4-star designation falls short of the highest 5-star welcoming rating for immigrant inclusion. — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 17 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

Why fiber matters and juice falls short The biggest catch with juice is what’s missing. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 21, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

These silhouettes instantly elevate an ensemble in a way that denim simply falls short. — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 20 July 2026

But Suskind argues that the problem isn't simply that today's AI falls short of human relationships. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 14 July 2026

Inclusiveness isn't the only area where the Volunteer State falls short. — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 11 July 2026