as in reliable
not likely to fail
flowers have been traditionally regarded as the fail-safe gift for Valentine's Day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in precaution
a measure taken to preclude loss or injury
there are so many fail-safes built into the system that a highly unlikely series of mistakes would have to be made before failure could occur
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fail-safe
Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024
This helps reduce the overall surface threat by relying on multiple solutions in a technology stack that either complement each other, provide a fail-safe or create redundancy.
—Rom Hendler, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2023
Shop Now 10 Navy Blue In areas with strict historic guidelines, navy blue is often a fail-safe.
—Elle Decor Editors, ELLE Decor, 17 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for fail-safe
Adjective
For a fail-safe choice, go for a white fabric liner constructed of polyester, canvas, or other natural fiber iterations (that are either mildew-resistant, water-repellent, and/or machine washable).
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024
This helps reduce the overall surface threat by relying on multiple solutions in a technology stack that either complement each other, provide a fail-safe or create redundancy.
—Rom Hendler, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Noun
The idea was to make bank oversight both stricter and more fail-safe.
—Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2023
Shop Now 10 Navy Blue In areas with strict historic guidelines, navy blue is often a fail-safe.
—Elle Decor Editors, ELLE Decor, 17 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for fail-safe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail-safe
Adjective
-
Some consumer groups, like the elderly who favor brick and mortar shopping or people without reliable internet access, will be disproportionately affected by closures, said Douglas Bowman, a marketing professor at the Goizueta Business School at Emory University in Georgia.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
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With a credit card and a garage, enthusiasts can build a virtually new Mustang from scratch using show-quality reproduction parts available from dozens of reliable suppliers.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
There may be no need for widespread quarantines or other elaborate precautions, but an infected patient waiting for a hot dog on the concourse at the AFC championship game in Kansas City would have presented a risk to other fans.—
Cory Franklin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
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In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
The Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Is there a surefire way to get any person to flirt with you?—
Charles Trepany,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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According to Packer, several surefire ways to ensure success start here: Be arrogant!—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Indeed, failure to do so proved disastrous for some early human trials of preventives.—
David J. Waters,
Scientific American,
1 Sep. 2015
-
Padlocks, sickles and other objects made of iron, a metal said to possess anti-demonic powers, were stashed in the grave as preventives.—
Franz Lidz,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2023
Adjective
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Authentic leadership fosters trust and connection, yet many leaders feel compelled to hide behind an infallible persona.—
Imamu "Mu" Tomlinson,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Nonetheless, an underperforming album or run of singles can render even seemingly infallible artists to the khia asylum – like, say, post-Radical Optimism Dua Lipa.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
11 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail-safe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail-safe. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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