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 Toronto Blue Jays failed to agree on an extension with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
—
Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
Conservatives sued to block that effort and ultimately failed, with the district court in D.C. determining that Clinton could proceed.
—Tamara Keith, NPR, 22 Feb. 2025
And although the Magic totaled 52 points in the paint, the Grizzlies totaled 56 as Orlando failed to protect the paint.
—Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2025
At best, presidents picked up-and-coming party devotees like Elaine Chao, a shameless pro-boss hack, or Tom Perez, a nice guy for sure, who failed to deliver any significant gains for blue-collar America.
—John Samuelsen, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
Conservatives sued to block that effort and ultimately failed, with the district court in D.C. determining that Clinton could proceed.
—Tamara Keith, NPR, 22 Feb. 2025
And although the Magic totaled 52 points in the paint, the Grizzlies totaled 56 as Orlando failed to protect the paint.
—Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2025
At best, presidents picked up-and-coming party devotees like Elaine Chao, a shameless pro-boss hack, or Tom Perez, a nice guy for sure, who failed to deliver any significant gains for blue-collar America.
—John Samuelsen, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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One person died and another was injured when their helicopter crashed Thursday onto a frozen reservoir in southeast Idaho, authorities said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2025
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But suicide is a major public health crisis — according to the CDC, 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022, which is about one death every 11 minutes — and antidepressants can be lifesaving.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The roof and walls of the institute have collapsed.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
20 Feb. 2025
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The core collapses as the outer layers of the stars are shed.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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For instance, Republicans are wading into a complex and divisive budget debate that has fractured the party and is forcing them to make tough choices, some of which are sure to disappoint voters.—
Annie Karni,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
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Princeton has disappointed despite returning its two best players plus a third starter, while injuries have stunted Brown’s and Columbia’s prospects.—
Jim Root,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In the fourth quarter of 2024, WK Kellogg reported net sales of $640 million, a decrease of 1.7% compared to $651 million in the same period in 2023, impacted by a 5.6% volume decline and a 40 basis point headwind from the weakening Canadian dollar.—
Joe Cornell,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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But the Trump administration's new cuts further weaken a banking watchdog that has been sounding the alarm for years about its decreasing ability to prevent future banking crises.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But what all that forgets is that tourism on the islands, particularly the largest, São Miguel, has a long history.—
Ann Abel,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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Don't forget to clip the on-site coupon to save an extra 20 percent.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Is that even a skill? Jeff: There’s one strategy that involves racing in the back for the entire race and letting others crash ahead of you, then trying to pick up positions at the end.—
Jeff Gluck,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
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Commercial pilot and licensed psychotherapist shares words of encouragement after recent plane crashes Michaela Renee Johnson says fear is a natural response to seeing the recent aviation disasters — and shares her thoughts on how people can ultimately tackle their fear.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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How to use it: Combine one whole egg with two eggs worth of whites, plus a bit of cream to bring back the missing richness.—
Audrey Bruno,
SELF,
20 Feb. 2025
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Two keys to an under-construction jail in Nashville went missing.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The resin material looks like solid wood but won’t fade in the sun or require repainting.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
23 Feb. 2025
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The young designer with Nigerian-Indian origins has incorporated files and documents into T-shirts, and has used a fading method on some of the pieces and inserted pieces of gold embroidery onto the shirts and dresses.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
WWD,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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