fails

present tense third-person singular of fail
1
as in dies
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
3
as in disappoints
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
5

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 fails The Lucky Ones recounts this time in all of its atrocities, underlining how the promise of democracy fails to account for those who need it most. Annabel Gutterman, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024 Advertisement Recalls happen when food is found to be contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites, due to the presence of foreign objects such as glass or metal, or if packaging fails to note a major allergen. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024 This Max Max style road race never fails to elicit gasps of wonder and growls of friendly frustration when the dice come up in an unexpected way. Rob Wieland, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024 Aryan Nation founder Richard Butler (Victor Slezak) attempts, and fails, to defuse Bob Matthews (Nicholas Hoult), the charismatic young leader of an ultra-violent and extremely organized splinter group planning an armed white supremacist revolution. Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024 Without more specific support, Plaintiff fails to overcome the prejudice to Defendants and public interest factors implicated here. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024 If that part fails, there are some serious safety concerns. Jack Mitchell, NPR, 6 Dec. 2024 When any of these are absent, coaching fails. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 Clients Looking For Validation Coaching fails when leaders want validation, not change. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fails
Verb
  • The final proposal mirrors how some states handle cases where a defendant dies after conviction but before their appeals are completed.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
  • After a difficult delivery, an infant dies and the father demands an inquiry into her methods.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • In the aftermath, Gloria’s world collapses.
    Veronica Villafañe, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
  • After her 10-year relationship collapses, a newly single woman dives back into the dating pool, navigating seven wildly different romantic entanglements that prepare her for her future husband.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Everyone who fell severely ill from the mysterious disease was also severely malnourished, which weakens immunity.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The toppling of Assad also weakens Russian influence in the Middle East, as Moscow was a key supporter of his regime.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • However, this either/or propositioning misses the fundamental importance of both as components of critical decision-making.
    Koray Köse, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • China trade in November misses expectations China’s exports and imports both missed expectations in November, fueling worries over the health of the Chinese economy.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • When Sandy goes missing, the line between reality and game blurs and Conor must venture into the strange world of OBEX to bring her home.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Facing the ethical dilemma of working in a system defined by propaganda and violence, a brave teacher goes undercover to film what’s really happening in his own school.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Everyone struggles with it in different ways.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
  • As the rest of the city struggles through violent crime, Johnson reportedly maintains a security detail of nearly 100 officers in Unit 544 — the group of officers assigned to protect the mayor.
    Dylan Sharkey, Chicago Tribune, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The stroller folds one-handed and sits upright for storage.
    Katrina Cossey, Parents, 29 Nov. 2024
  • This long-sleeve has a standup collar that folds down and is great for warm and windy days.
    Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near fails

Cite this Entry

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

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