as in fault
a defect in character
we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dying
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in crashing
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in collapsing
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in weakening
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 forgetting
to miss the opportunity or obligation
failed to mention that he was looking for new job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Ars Technica, 22 Dec. 2024
By their failing to put in place proper safeguards, Zelle became a gold mine for fraudsters, while often leaving victims to fend for themselves.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
With an average home now hosting around 12 connected devices, failing to monitor network activity could lead to unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for failing 
Noun
Human failings amidst an unfeeling snowpocalypse make for some engaging scenes.
—Ars Technica, 22 Dec. 2024
By their failing to put in place proper safeguards, Zelle became a gold mine for fraudsters, while often leaving victims to fend for themselves.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
That followed the German government unexpectedly failing to approve a €50 million guarantee that would have enabled €100 million in further loans, sparking the insolvency proceedings.
—Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
With an average home now hosting around 12 connected devices, failing to monitor network activity could lead to unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for failing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failing
Noun
-
Our experience was a mix of magic and misery, to no fault of Fort Wilderness.Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
-
As Laviolette said, that’s not solely the defenseman’s fault.Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Estate Taxes The federal estate tax exclusion for decedents dying in 2025 will increase to $13,990,000 per person, or $27,980,000 per married couple.Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
-
Two people were stabbed at a transit station in Queens, with one of them dying, and a woman was set on fire and died on a subway car in Brooklyn.Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse On March 26, a container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, collapsing the bridge and killing six construction workers who were filling potholes on the span.Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 26 Dec. 2024
-
This pre-dates the casual fashions that would take hold during the 1960s, eventually collapsing traditional dressiness by the 1970s, making Sumbariners and GMT Masters the thing to wear.Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
-
With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.Jason Schenker, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Another pitfall is forgetting about the investments that are placed in the IRA.Chris Carosa, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
-
She was cast after a previous actress kept forgetting her lines, Cherry says.Colson Thayer, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
But Price acknowledged that the case revealed multiple weaknesses in how police handled homicide investigations at the time, leading to widespread reforms that remain in place today.Michael Gordon, Charlotte Observer, 17 Jan. 2025
-
This will involve complete assessments of endpoints, employee training, or network access controls that represent the weaknesses.William Jones, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
While pruning, remove any winter damage, along with dead and declining growths, to allow new shoots to reform the plant.Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 6 Mar. 2021
-
In order to reopen, counties must demonstrate declining prevalence of COVID-19, testing ability of 30 tests per 10,000 residents per week, contact tracing and isolation facilities.Fox News, Fox News, 15 May 2020
Verb
-
California and Stanford ventured to the opposite coast for the first time, both struggling in the Eastern time zone.Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
-
Ordinary Americans also work for league media arms such as the NFL Network, which last year conducted layoffs, or their partners, including regional sports networks that are struggling to keep pace.Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near failing
Cite this Entry
“Failing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failing. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share