fails

verb

Definition of failsnext
present tense third-person singular of fail
1
as in dies
to stop functioning my car failed just as I was about to head to work

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2
as in collapses
to be unsuccessful despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office

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3
as in disappoints
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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4
as in weakens
to lose bodily strength or vigor ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing

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5
as in forgets
to miss the opportunity or obligation failed to mention that he was looking for new job

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fails Traditional data monitoring focuses on infrastructure but fails to provide visibility into the data itself—its accuracy, freshness and reliability. — Gaurav Aggarwal, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025 And if all else fails, Nicole Kidman is always available. — Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jan. 2025 If Johnson fails on Friday to secure the 218 votes required for a simple majority to remain speaker, the House risks being in limbo until the issue is resolved. — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fails
  1. dies
  2. collapses
  3. weakens
  4. misses
  5. goes
  6. struggles
  7. folds
Verb
  • He's aided by his assistant, aspiring journalist Emmy (Robyn Cara), and by a veteran Irish investigative journalist, Dove (Siobhan Cullen), on assignment in exile from London after a story falls apart when her whistleblower source unexpectedly dies.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
  • With only one star to speak of, and no flashbacks or subplots to break up the central narrative, Netflix’s survival drama lives or dies by the quality of its lead performance.
    — Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of dies
Verb
  • The next 12 months will determine whether the music industry thrives or collapses under the weight of AI.
    — Virginie Berger, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
  • The bailiff then fires at least six shots and Butler collapses on the ground.
    — Violet Ikonomova, Detroit Free Press, 27 Dec. 2024
Definition of collapses
Verb
  • An easy monetary policy typically weakens a country’s currency, making exports cheaper and potentially supports growth in the face of tariffs.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Doing so weakens your home's heating system and is a fire hazard.
    — Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2024
Definition of weakens
Verb
  • This approach does not address systemic problems around compensation decisions and misses the opportunity to create meaningful, lasting change in an organization.
    — Lyssa Hansard, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
  • But all this misses the point—the point which Matthew’s first readers would have heard loud and clear.
    — N.T. Wright, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
Definition of misses
Verb
  • That's as far as amount A goes.
    — Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
  • As LaVine goes, so go the Bulls.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of goes
Verb
  • Additionally, the jail struggles to provide adequate food, and unsanitary food distribution practices have left detainees vulnerable to malnutrition, pest infestations and other harms.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
  • But Moore sometimes struggles to take responsibility in the way expected of leaders.
    — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025
Definition of struggles
Verb
  • The exaggerated turtleneck gently folds over, forming a scarf-like collar, and the slits on either side give the oversized sweater some movement.
    — Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2024
  • The stroller folds one-handed and sits upright for storage.
    — Katrina Cossey, Parents, 29 Nov. 2024
Definition of folds

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Cite this Entry

“Fails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fails. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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