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
Traditional data monitoring focuses on infrastructure but fails to provide visibility into the data itself—its accuracy, freshness and reliability.
—
Gaurav Aggarwal, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
And if all else fails, Nicole Kidman is always available.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jan. 2025
If Johnson fails on Friday to secure the 218 votes required for a simple majority to remain speaker, the House risks being in limbo until the issue is resolved.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
If Johnson fails to secure the 218 votes needed for a simple majority on Friday to remain speaker, the chamber could be stuck in limbo until the matter is resolved.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Even when Indian students attend a decent school, the system often fails them.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
If the question fails, the district would have to wait a year before going back to voters with another millage increase request.
—Lynn Kutter, arkansasonline.com, 2 Jan. 2025
This approach may reduce immediate pressures but fails to encourage necessary long-term reductions in water consumption.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2025
Here is a prediction of the next few coaches who could see the boot if their team fails to find success this season.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Gaurav Aggarwal, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
And if all else fails, Nicole Kidman is always available.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jan. 2025
If Johnson fails on Friday to secure the 218 votes required for a simple majority to remain speaker, the House risks being in limbo until the issue is resolved.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
If Johnson fails to secure the 218 votes needed for a simple majority on Friday to remain speaker, the chamber could be stuck in limbo until the matter is resolved.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Even when Indian students attend a decent school, the system often fails them.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
If the question fails, the district would have to wait a year before going back to voters with another millage increase request.
—Lynn Kutter, arkansasonline.com, 2 Jan. 2025
This approach may reduce immediate pressures but fails to encourage necessary long-term reductions in water consumption.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2025
Here is a prediction of the next few coaches who could see the boot if their team fails to find success this season.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fails
Verb
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He's aided by his assistant, aspiring journalist Emmy (Robyn Cara), and by a veteran Irish investigative journalist, Dove (Siobhan Cullen), on assignment in exile from London after a story falls apart when her whistleblower source unexpectedly dies.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
24 Dec. 2024
-
With only one star to speak of, and no flashbacks or subplots to break up the central narrative, Netflix’s survival drama lives or dies by the quality of its lead performance.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The next 12 months will determine whether the music industry thrives or collapses under the weight of AI.—
Virginie Berger,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
-
The bailiff then fires at least six shots and Butler collapses on the ground.—
Violet Ikonomova,
Detroit Free Press,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
An easy monetary policy typically weakens a country’s currency, making exports cheaper and potentially supports growth in the face of tariffs.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Doing so weakens your home's heating system and is a fire hazard.—
Rabekah Henderson,
Southern Living,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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This approach does not address systemic problems around compensation decisions and misses the opportunity to create meaningful, lasting change in an organization.—
Lyssa Hansard,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
But all this misses the point—the point which Matthew’s first readers would have heard loud and clear.—
N.T. Wright,
TIME,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
That's as far as amount A goes.—
Tax Notes Staff,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
As LaVine goes, so go the Bulls.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Additionally, the jail struggles to provide adequate food, and unsanitary food distribution practices have left detainees vulnerable to malnutrition, pest infestations and other harms.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
4 Jan. 2025
-
But Moore sometimes struggles to take responsibility in the way expected of leaders.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The exaggerated turtleneck gently folds over, forming a scarf-like collar, and the slits on either side give the oversized sweater some movement.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Dec. 2024
-
The stroller folds one-handed and sits upright for storage.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
29 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Fails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fails. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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