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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fail
The employee failed to clean the equipment and sprayed a mixture of herbicide and the fertilizer on the greens.
—
Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
But oil prices surged again at month-end as a lasting agreement failed to take place and the US navy moved to block the Strait of Hormuz to hamper Iran’s oil exports.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
The New Glenn rocket’s current upper stage, with two BE-3U engines, failed on the most recent launch earlier this month.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
The findings point to a system that adapts under stress rather than failing.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fail
Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
But oil prices surged again at month-end as a lasting agreement failed to take place and the US navy moved to block the Strait of Hormuz to hamper Iran’s oil exports.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
The New Glenn rocket’s current upper stage, with two BE-3U engines, failed on the most recent launch earlier this month.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
The findings point to a system that adapts under stress rather than failing.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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Alfredrick Hughes, Loyola’s all-time leading scorer who helped the Ramblers end a 16-year NCAA Tournament drought during his All-America senior season, died Friday.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
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Game 7 is where tall tales begin and dreams die.—
John Romano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Verb
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In 2021, an elevated overpass on a Mexico City metro line collapsed onto a road, killing 26 people and injuring dozens just as a subway train was crossing over the section.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
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Other scientists warned that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), the great ocean conveyor belt, is more likely to collapse than expected, which will freeze European capitals and disrupt monsoons in West Africa and India.—
Natalie Sum Yue Chung,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Litmus Test, the Los Alamitos Futurity winner who has disappointed in two starts this year, was purchased for $875,000.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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Our team of editors, who are already huge fans of the brand, asked their moms what’s on their wish lists this year, and the selections did not disappoint.—
Jacquelyn McGilvray,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The deeper the rifts between the United States and Europe over Iran, the greater the chances of weakening the NATO alliance.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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During his appearances on Capitol Hill this month, Secretary Kennendy was grilled about the administration's defense of the pesticide industry and weakening of protections against mercury pollution, another issue that Kennedy had worked on as an advocate.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wilson has almost been forgotten and could make the difference.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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Bianca is her oldest and people forget that sometimes, caught up in the Jayden story.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Hundreds of passengers’ plans were derailed on Wednesday when a train crashed into a tanker truck on Colorado’s Western Slope, damaging the tracks — but not just those on board were affected.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
7 May 2026
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However, in the wild, the algae are the ocean’s introverts, and only glow when they are bothered, like jolted by a crashing wave or the hull of a passing boat.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Verb
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If catchers, pitchers, or hitters believed an umpire missed a call, they were suddenly allowed to challenge it.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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The one big missing piece was seeing her team finally capture an elusive state championship.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Between items that are dated and faded, here are a handful of outdoor decor pieces that designers say are always eyesores.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
1 May 2026
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Public conversation centers on politics, blame, and strategy, while children fade into the background.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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