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
That case argued that Louisiana lawmakers illegally diluted Black voting power by failing to draw a second majority-Black district in a state where Black voters account for roughly one third of the population.
—
Sam Gringlas, NPR, 29 May 2026
During that mission, New Glenn failed to deploy its payload, the BlueBird 7 communications satellite, into the proper orbit.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 May 2026
Baty has also failed to replicate his second-half numbers from last season.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 29 May 2026
The 5-foot-9 guard got suspended by the Dream for conduct detrimental to the team before being traded and failing to earn second contracts from the Sparks and Sky.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fail
Sam Gringlas, NPR, 29 May 2026
During that mission, New Glenn failed to deploy its payload, the BlueBird 7 communications satellite, into the proper orbit.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 May 2026
Baty has also failed to replicate his second-half numbers from last season.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 29 May 2026
The 5-foot-9 guard got suspended by the Dream for conduct detrimental to the team before being traded and failing to earn second contracts from the Sparks and Sky.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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Memorial Day is a day to remember, respect and show empathy for the many who have died in military service in wars.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2026
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His team started just west of Lake Village, at the site where Edward and Arlene Kozlowski died in their home, one of the areas worst hit by the tornado.—
Amy Lavalley,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Game 1, when the Cavs built a 22-point lead against a rusty Knicks team before collapsing during a devastating 44-11 New York run.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
24 May 2026
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Political norms rarely collapse all at once.—
William Muck,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Writing for The Motley Fool, Geoffrey Seiler was disappointed that Abel appeared to be repeating Buffett's mistakes.—
Alex Crippen,
CNBC,
23 May 2026
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The people the chief represented had counted on the good faith of the British but been disappointed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Just weeks ago, the president was blaming Thune for not doing more to whip the votes needed to advance the SAVE America Act, a voter ID bill that stalled over GOP opposition to weakening the filibuster.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 May 2026
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Canadians were once America's largest group of inbound international travelers, but recent data shows a shift as some turn away from the United States based on values and even a weakening Canadian dollar.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
Verb
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The last image of the Buffalo Sabres’ season was one Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will spend his summer trying to forget.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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Name five albums, and one of them can't be the Black Album, which is actually called Metallica; people forget that.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Halverson crashed on couches all across Fridley.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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Pino, Srebnick said, was distracted for nine seconds before hitting the channel marker, but there was no intentional effort to crash.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The mother of the other suspect, Clark, reported to police the morning of the shooting that guns had gone missing from her home.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
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After a clean first inning with two strikeouts, Lauer missed down the middle with a fastball to Hunter Goodman, who hit it out for the 12th homer Lauer has given up this season.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
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While desirable homes still sell quickly, frenzied bidding wars have faded.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
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Deadheading Is Another Form Of Pinching Back Deadheading is similar to pinching back, but it is done once the flowers begin to fade.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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