without fail
idiom
1
—used to stress that something always happens
Every day, without fail, he has toast and coffee for breakfast.
2
—used to stress that something will definitely happen
She promised that she would be there without fail.
Examples of without fail in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When the final few teams are competing for the very last at-large spots, the committee, nearly without fail, has dinged those with truly ugly non-league schedules.
—
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
Almost without fail, Diego Carlos would take his top off.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Those individuals, almost without fail, have this incredible complexity of physical health care conditions, often mental health, behavioral health conditions, and a range of psychosocial things, including housing instability, sometimes nutritional instability.
—Ryan Levi, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025
Share deep insights that teach exactly what your audience needs to learn, and do it weekly without fail.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Jennifer from Northern Ireland told users that her black cat named Sky sits on the sidewalk just before 3 p.m. every day without fail.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
But without fail my perpetual New Year’s resolution is to show my skin a little more TLC.
—Varsha Patel, refinery29.com, 29 Dec. 2024
Salah's blunt answers embarrass the Liverpool hierarchy whenever he is asked about progress on a new contract without fail.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Justin Jefferson Every year, without fail, there is a breakout athlete who captures the attention of the fashion world—and 2024 was football star Justin Jefferson’s time to shine.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
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.
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
Almost without fail, Diego Carlos would take his top off.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Those individuals, almost without fail, have this incredible complexity of physical health care conditions, often mental health, behavioral health conditions, and a range of psychosocial things, including housing instability, sometimes nutritional instability.
—Ryan Levi, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025
Share deep insights that teach exactly what your audience needs to learn, and do it weekly without fail.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Jennifer from Northern Ireland told users that her black cat named Sky sits on the sidewalk just before 3 p.m. every day without fail.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
But without fail my perpetual New Year’s resolution is to show my skin a little more TLC.
—Varsha Patel, refinery29.com, 29 Dec. 2024
Salah's blunt answers embarrass the Liverpool hierarchy whenever he is asked about progress on a new contract without fail.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Justin Jefferson Every year, without fail, there is a breakout athlete who captures the attention of the fashion world—and 2024 was football star Justin Jefferson’s time to shine.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Without fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/without%20fail. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share