1
as in dies
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in collapses
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in weakens
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 forgets
to miss the opportunity or obligation
failed to mention that he was looking for new job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fails
What To Watch For The next draw for the Powerball jackpot will take place on Wednesday night, and if a winner fails to emerge once again, the jackpot prize will likely eclipse the biggest one of 2024.
—
Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Finding a supportive community is key, and if all else fails, get offline.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
If that fails, the robot could take proactive steps—like moving its work to a safer location—to finish the task without endangering the person.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2025
If the Security Council fails to vote in unison within 30 days to maintain the suspension, all previous sanctions are reinstated.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Redistricting laws in the state say that any map that the General Assembly draws that fails to get the support of at least half of the members of both parties will lead to the activation of the Ohio Redistricting Commission.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
The rankings are the lifeblood of a serial—and one that fails to rank highly enough over time can be cut.
—Matt Alt, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
When the total exceeds 30, the food establishment fails.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2025
His constitutional rights, particularly the Eighth Amendment, fails relevancy here because Kohberger is segregated from all other inmates, thus being reasonably protected from physical harm.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Finding a supportive community is key, and if all else fails, get offline.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
If that fails, the robot could take proactive steps—like moving its work to a safer location—to finish the task without endangering the person.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2025
If the Security Council fails to vote in unison within 30 days to maintain the suspension, all previous sanctions are reinstated.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Redistricting laws in the state say that any map that the General Assembly draws that fails to get the support of at least half of the members of both parties will lead to the activation of the Ohio Redistricting Commission.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
The rankings are the lifeblood of a serial—and one that fails to rank highly enough over time can be cut.
—Matt Alt, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
When the total exceeds 30, the food establishment fails.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2025
His constitutional rights, particularly the Eighth Amendment, fails relevancy here because Kohberger is segregated from all other inmates, thus being reasonably protected from physical harm.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fails
Verb
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In dog stories, a dog gives unbounded love and is the best possible friend and behaves heroically—and then the dog dies.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
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If a winner dies before all the annual payments are made, the balance of the prize continues in payments to the winner's estate, Powerball says.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This complex and emotionally charged process, driven by a maze of legacy systems and human bottlenecks, collapses precisely when people need it most.—
Anant Agarwal,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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As Stahl said, anytime there’s a reckless driver, the emergency pipeline collapses and knocks out water flow to the entire area.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Although the hosts and entertainment are yet to be announced, the Golden Vines® never disappoints.—
Liquid Icons,
Robb Report,
5 Sep. 2025
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While the market's closure disappoints some local customers, Koncki views it as a necessary step to grow his salsa business.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bottom line—moving Space Command headquarters weakens our national security at the worst possible time.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
3 Sep. 2025
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If employees rely on tools only for quick answers, curiosity weakens.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And any candidate—left, right, or center—who forgets that will fail, because Black voters are insisting that our priorities come first.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
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If someone forgets to draw the blinds in their dorms, the camera can see, record everything.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While flying a shuttlecraft, she gets sucked into a wormhole and crashes onto a barren moon.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
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What happens if the AI wave crashes?—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ugarte then threads the ball to Amad, who misses the target, but is flagged offside anyway.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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But if a student misses two of the exams, that probably isn’t the case.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Midnight blue, a heavier shade, has been favored in recent years as the summer fades and fall approaches.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
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And when history is forgotten, respect for it fades.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fails. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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