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
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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
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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By 2016, Beal had become a minority investor, and CBS Sports reported that the NFL had approved a succession plan with Ross granting Beal the right of first option to buy the Dolphins if Ross died or decided to sell his majority stake.—
Giacomo Tognini,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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The songstress, after managing to run to the motel lobby, was rushed to the hospital but died shortly thereafter.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Additional footage shows collapsed buildings and wreckage in the streets.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2025
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The quake also caused a skyscraper in Bangkok, Thailand, to collapse.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Some genre fans will be disappointed by the film’s slow-burn style and the cryptic nature of Sam Stefanak’s screenplay, including its twist ending that’s open to interpretation.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2025
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Listen to this article Loyola received a bonus home game this season on Wednesday, courtesy of their run through the National Invitation Tournament, and the Ramblers once again didn’t disappoint at Gentile Arena in front of a crowd of 3,554.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Seth Jones, president of the defense and security department of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says a trade war that punishes U.S. partners in the region threatens to weaken ties with Asian allies, possibly forcing them to reassess the reliability of U.S. security commitments.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
22 Mar. 2025
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The doctor added that recovery would best continue away from the hospital, where exposure to viruses risks weakening the Holy Father's condition.—
Danielle Wallace,
Fox News,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Importantly for Coleman, Barry has never forgotten who has done well by him.—
Simon Hughes,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
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From the start, many critics worried that school summer vacations would lead students to forget their lessons and waste time in unhealthy idleness.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Mar. 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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But as one of the women approached the car, a blue sedan crashed into it, pushing it into the woman and killing her, according to investigators.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, she was fired in March 1995 when it was discovered money was missing.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
28 Mar. 2025
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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
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 5 Apr. 2025.
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