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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to forget
to miss the opportunity or obligation
failed to mention that he was looking for new job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fail
The case was initiated by the current leadership of the Colorado Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) against its former president, Randy Kanai, who is accused of misappropriating or failing to account for hundreds of thousands of dollars in the organization’s funds over several years at the helm.
—
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2025
After drawing rebukes from multiple judges for failing to comply with their orders, Trump retaliated by calling for their impeachment, arguing that a mere district court should not constrain a President.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
In 2023, British millionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit launched a flight over the Atlantic Ocean that reached space but failed to attain orbit, and the company folded a few months later.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
Alas, the thick-headed goon that Vito sends to whack Frank in the lobby of his lux Manhattan apartment building (a swollen and unrecognizable Cosmo Jarvis as the aptly named Vincent Gigante) fails to follow through with a double-tap, and Frank survives with a scratch to the head.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2025
After drawing rebukes from multiple judges for failing to comply with their orders, Trump retaliated by calling for their impeachment, arguing that a mere district court should not constrain a President.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
In 2023, British millionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit launched a flight over the Atlantic Ocean that reached space but failed to attain orbit, and the company folded a few months later.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
Alas, the thick-headed goon that Vito sends to whack Frank in the lobby of his lux Manhattan apartment building (a swollen and unrecognizable Cosmo Jarvis as the aptly named Vincent Gigante) fails to follow through with a double-tap, and Frank survives with a scratch to the head.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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The saxophonist in his band also died, according to manager Enrique Paulino.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
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Iconoclastic critic, art historian, and photographer Max Kozloff, who served as Artforum’s executive editor in the 1970s before turning to his own artistic practice, died on April 6.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Dramatic videos show buildings collapsing and swaying in Thailand. 4:09 A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake rattled much of Southeast Asia on Friday, resulting in mounting casualties and flattened skyscrapers from Myanmar to Thailand.—
Mark Osborne,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2025
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Additional footage shows collapsed buildings and wreckage in the streets.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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All the chatter from people who said they were disappointed in this resolution — hold on, this is a win.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
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Their transfer business is one place to start, with basically all of their recruits having disappointed, with the possible exception of Matheus Fernandes.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But that progress stalled out around the turn of the year, which weakened the case for further rate cuts and ultimately prompted the Fed to stand pat in January.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
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More broadly, consumer sentiment has declined and retail sales growth has weakened, reflecting the uncertainty of customers over where the economy is headed.—
Harry Holzer,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And during the heart of the pandemic, who could forget her radiant presence in the 2020 Verzuz battle with Erykah Badu?—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
4 Apr. 2025
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With last year’s coaches off the staff, Polk and Baker’s disappointing rookie campaigns can be forgotten.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In three months, Trump has crashed the stock market and spiked costs.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2025
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The mountain peaks jetted into a cloudless Dodger-blue sky as the wind whipped and the waves beneath crested and crashed.—
Dan Woike,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Kane County coroner’s office announced Thursday night that the skeletal remains found inside a car removed this week from the Fox River belong to Karen Schepers, the 23-year-old Elgin woman missing since April 1983.—
Courier-News,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
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Curry has missed the last few games for the Warriors but could be making his return tomorrow.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Federal Railway Safety Act But Cassity and other union leaders remain concerned that little requires railroads like Norfolk Southern to maintain these protocols once the headlines of East Palestine fade away.—
Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
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Third to Journalism in the recent San Felipe Stakes — the race that more or less made Journalism a candidate Derby horse and that saw Rodriguez fade to show — Rodriguez currently clings to step No. 30 on the Derby points ladder, with 21-plus points.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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