FAILING Synonyms: 205 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'failing' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of failing are fault , foible , frailty , and vice . While all these words mean "an imperfection or weakness of character," failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character. // being late is a failing of mine

Q: When might 'fault' be a better fit than 'failing'?

The synonyms fault and failing are sometimes interchangeable, but fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit. // a writer of many virtues and few faults

Q: When is 'foible' a more appropriate choice than 'failing'?

While in some cases nearly identical to failing , foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy. // an eccentric's charming foibles

Q: When could 'frailty' be used to replace 'failing'?

The words frailty and failing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation. // human frailties

Q: When would 'vice' be a good substitute for 'failing'?

Although the words vice and failing have much in common, vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others. // compulsive gambling was his vice

failing 1 of 3

noun

ˈfā-liŋ

Definition of failing next

as in fault

a defect in character we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night

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failing

2 of 3

adjective

as in dying

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undecadent

failing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of fail

as in crashing

to stop functioning my car failed just as I was about to head to work

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starting (up)

as in collapsing

to be unsuccessful despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office

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as in disappointing

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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as in weakening

to lose bodily strength or vigor ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing

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as in forgetting

to miss the opportunity or obligation failed to mention that he was looking for new job

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun failing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of failing are fault, foible, frailty, and vice. While all these words mean "an imperfection or weakness of character," failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character.

being late is a failing of mine

When might fault be a better fit than failing?

The synonyms fault and failing are sometimes interchangeable, but fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit.

a writer of many virtues and few faults

When is foible a more appropriate choice than failing?

While in some cases nearly identical to failing, foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy.

an eccentric's charming foibles

When could frailty be used to replace failing?

The words frailty and failing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation.

human frailties

When would vice be a good substitute for failing?

Although the words vice and failing have much in common, vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others.

compulsive gambling was his vice

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of failing

Noun

Simply put, these failings of the Giants offense do not fall squarely on the shoulders of the former quarterback. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024 So to show up to one of the biggest races in the world, with one of the biggest brands in the world, with one of the most famous, successful racing drivers in the world, and not qualify, well, that's a failing. —

Sean Gregory, TIME, 24 Nov. 2024

Verb

Angling to go public soon on the London stock exchange (after failing to generate interest on Wall Street), Shein attributes its success to cheap labor, on-demand production, and direct-to-consumer sales. —

Greg Petro, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 Also, despite racking up numerous critics prizes and an award from the British Independent Film Awards just yesterday, Hard Truths star Marianne Jean-Baptiste missed out on a Golden Globe nomination this morning, with the film also failing to land any nominations. —

Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for failing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for failing

Noun

By no fault of his own, Aiyuk's lengthy hold-in was just the tip of the iceberg for the 49ers this season.

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
And there was the catastrophic mega-tsunami of 1700, originating from a magnitude 9 earthquake over the Cascadia fault system, which runs offshore from Northern California to Vancouver Island for 700 miles.

Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Definition of fault

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“Failing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failing. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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Last Updated: 21 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of failing

noun

adjective

verb

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