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
Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024
But shutting off the local media is hardly a fail-safe way to ward off scrutiny or protect one’s reputation.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 22 Nov. 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
Click through our links down below to find a whole lot of giftable deals on fail-safe winter fashion that are available only through the weekend.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024
But shutting off the local media is hardly a fail-safe way to ward off scrutiny or protect one’s reputation.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 22 Nov. 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
-
What was long known to be fixed and reliable is now fluid and frightening.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Now studying to become a nurse, Zipporah plans to open a clinic in her community and take out another loan to ensure her clinic has a reliable water supply.—
Matt Damon,
TIME,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2025
-
The 23-year-old Dutchman was duly substituted at half-time as a precaution.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This means recognizing that diverse perspectives fuel innovation—and ignoring that is a surefire way to stay stuck.—
Nono Bokete,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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To end on a neat twist — while texting journalists is a surefire way to breach security, the Signal chat itself was protected from outside interference by its encryption.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 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
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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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Some of the president’s most devoted followers like to think of the U.S. as uniquely virtuous and their hero as practically infallible.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
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Sheridan’s cantering does allow for storytelling that is perfect for the Trump-Musk world: long monologues, mostly by men who see themselves as infallible truth-tellers.—
Stephen Rodrick,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail-safe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail-safe. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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