1
a
: omission of occurrence or performance
b(1)
: a state of inability to perform a normal function
kidney failure
compare heart failure
(2)
: an abrupt cessation of normal functioning
a power failure
c
: a fracturing or giving way under stress
structural failure
2
a
: lack of success
b
: a failing in business : bankruptcy
He was trying to rescue the company from failure.
3
a
: a falling short : deficiency
a crop failure
b
4
: one that has failed
He felt like a failure when he wasn't accepted into law school.
Synonyms
Examples of failure in a Sentence
He became discouraged by his repeated failures in business.
He was often crippled by his fear of failure.
The accident was caused by engine failure.
The patient was suffering from heart failure.
The accident was caused by a failure to use proper procedures.
She was criticized for failure to follow directions.
The drought caused crop failure.
He felt like a failure when he wasn't accepted into law school.
The scheme was a complete failure.
Recent Examples on the Web
So taking ibuprofen can be dangerous for patients with kidney disease or failure; those with liver damage or cirrhosis; and people with conditions that put strain on their kidneys, such as high blood pressure or heart failure.
—
Melinda Wenner Moyer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024
California Republican lawmakers said the report highlights the state’s failure to deal with a worsening homelessness crisis.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
While other dogs also played similar roles and were paraded for the media, Roger captured the island’s imagination — partly because of his backstory of an initial career failure.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Image Most of his patients died of renal failure, cancer, congestive heart failure, Alzheimer’s or kidney disease.
—Eli Saslow Erin Schaff Eli Saslow, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
God please protect him from the failures of the fatherless.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
Such downturns have triggered big business scandals in the past, from the bankruptcy of bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox in 2014 to the fraudulent FTX cryptocurrency exchange, which has led to several business and bank failures.
—Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2024
In some cases, failure to show clinical benefit didn’t stop the FDA from converting accelerated approvals into full approvals, and the authors note the agency’s conversion decisions have increasingly been based on less stringent evidence of a drug’s benefits.
—Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 7 Apr. 2024
The failure to extend water service to all Indigenous Americans is especially galling given their traditional role as nature’s caretakers, says Heather Whiteman Runs Him, associate clinical professor and director of the Tribal Justice Clinic at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
—Tyrone Beason, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Melinda Wenner Moyer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024
California Republican lawmakers said the report highlights the state’s failure to deal with a worsening homelessness crisis.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
While other dogs also played similar roles and were paraded for the media, Roger captured the island’s imagination — partly because of his backstory of an initial career failure.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Image Most of his patients died of renal failure, cancer, congestive heart failure, Alzheimer’s or kidney disease.
—Eli Saslow Erin Schaff Eli Saslow, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
God please protect him from the failures of the fatherless.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
Such downturns have triggered big business scandals in the past, from the bankruptcy of bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox in 2014 to the fraudulent FTX cryptocurrency exchange, which has led to several business and bank failures.
—Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2024
In some cases, failure to show clinical benefit didn’t stop the FDA from converting accelerated approvals into full approvals, and the authors note the agency’s conversion decisions have increasingly been based on less stringent evidence of a drug’s benefits.
—Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 7 Apr. 2024
The failure to extend water service to all Indigenous Americans is especially galling given their traditional role as nature’s caretakers, says Heather Whiteman Runs Him, associate clinical professor and director of the Tribal Justice Clinic at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
—Tyrone Beason, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'failure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near failure
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/failure. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
failure
noun
fail·ure
ˈfā(ə)l-yər 
1
a
: a failing to do or perform
failure to pass the test
b
: neglect of an assigned or expected action
failure to pay on time
c
: inability to perform a normal function well enough
heart failure
2
a
: a lack of success
failure in the campaign
b
: bankruptcy
a business failure
3
a
: a falling short : deficiency
crop failure
b
: a breaking down
a failure of memory
4
: one that has failed
the scheme was a complete failure
Medical Definition
failure
noun
fail·ure
ˈfā(ə)l-yər
: a state of inability to perform a vital function
acute renal failure
respiratory failure
see heart failure
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