1
as in to die
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to collapse
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to disappoint
to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of
although the minor-league franchise continues to fail local fans, hope springs eternal
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to weaken
to lose bodily strength or vigor
ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to forget
to miss the opportunity or obligation
failed to mention that he was looking for new job
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fail
Multiple flights passed over the survivors but failed to spot them, local media reported.
—
Marlon Sorto, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
Kings Kings rally to take lead, only to collapse in third period of Game 3 loss to Oilers
April 25, 2025
In Game 4 the Kings led with less than 35 seconds to play when Quinton Byfield failed to make a simple clearance out of the Kings’ zone.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
In more severe cases, gum graft rejection is possible, which is when the transplanted tissue fails to properly combine with the gum.12
Recovery Timeline
The gum graft should fully fuse with the surrounding tissue within four to 12 weeks, with symptom recovery often taking about two weeks.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 3 May 2025
This frustration is compounded by hefty tariffs leveled by the White House on Canadian industries, ostensibly as punishment for uneven trade deals and failing to combat drug and migrant trafficking across the border.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Marlon Sorto, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
Kings Kings rally to take lead, only to collapse in third period of Game 3 loss to Oilers
April 25, 2025
In Game 4 the Kings led with less than 35 seconds to play when Quinton Byfield failed to make a simple clearance out of the Kings’ zone.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
In more severe cases, gum graft rejection is possible, which is when the transplanted tissue fails to properly combine with the gum.12
Recovery Timeline
The gum graft should fully fuse with the surrounding tissue within four to 12 weeks, with symptom recovery often taking about two weeks.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 3 May 2025
This frustration is compounded by hefty tariffs leveled by the White House on Canadian industries, ostensibly as punishment for uneven trade deals and failing to combat drug and migrant trafficking across the border.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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Steven Burns is about to get another chance to convince commissioners that the same man who left Catina to die that night, is a changed man.—
Erin Moriarty, Liza Finley,
CBS News,
4 May 2025
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After her victory, France paid tribute to her son Henry, who died from leukemia last year.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
Verb
-
Kings Kings rally to take lead, only to collapse in third period of Game 3 loss to Oilers April 25, 2025 In Game 4 the Kings led with less than 35 seconds to play when Quinton Byfield failed to make a simple clearance out of the Kings’ zone.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
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The agreement was due to be signed in February but collapsed in the wake of a heated exchange between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over how to end the Ukraine-Russia war.—
Jane Onyanga-Omara,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Verb
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That’s why many in the real estate space are disappointed in the decision by a Washington regulator to end support for some programs that helped many Americans over that hurdle and into a position to buy homes.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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Given the influx of questions received, when ideating the line Holloway began researching the category and was disappointed to find very little, and what was available wasn’t design- or education-driven.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
2 May 2025
Verb
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The pests set about sucking the sap from grape roots, slowly weakening them and opening wounds that invited disease.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
28 Apr. 2025
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As more state legislation is passed that weakens or eliminates longstanding fire and life safety codes, the need for young workers who are trained and passionate about reversing these trends is high.—
Jim Pauley,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Just don’t forget to include a personalized card with your cash gift of any amount!—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
29 Apr. 2025
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Despite the riveting plot, the author teases to PEOPLE that her main character is going to be the aspect of the novel that readers aren’t likely to forget.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Videos shared on social media by the news agency of the Philippine government showed chaos at the airport, and a black SUV crashed into the entryway of the terminal.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
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Pilot Andres Velarde said the plane crashed in an emergency landing after having engine failure, according to BBC News.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
3 May 2025
Verb
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Don't miss a chance to take Antigua in from the water on a boat excursion.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
3 May 2025
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About 80% of searches in the first iteration of Koester's database ended with the missing person being found safe.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Verb
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The issue of student rights has faded from headlines, though obstacles linger.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 May 2025
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Hope for a similar easy resolution for the Wentz family quickly faded.—
Mara Bovsun,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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