1
as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action
your failure to check the batteries in the smoke detector could have tragic results
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in defeat
a falling short of one's goals
the failure of the school's fund-raising drive was a big disappointment to all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disaster
something that has failed
the students' first attempt to build a homemade rocket was a disappointing failure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
the failure of the potato crop had a devastating effect on the population of Ireland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in bankruptcy
the inability to pay one's debts
years of prolonged economic depression, when business failures were common
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of failure
Dave and a rotating cast of smart, thought-provoking guests talk about their inspirations, failures, successes, fame, and identities.
—
Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
After 11 test flights, six successful and five failures, SpaceX achieved a major milestone with the final V2 launch.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
In addition to these failures, genetics also plays a role.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 15 Oct. 2025
Blackie and Berta tried to kill Dale, and Allen killed them for their failure.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
After 11 test flights, six successful and five failures, SpaceX achieved a major milestone with the final V2 launch.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
In addition to these failures, genetics also plays a role.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 15 Oct. 2025
Blackie and Berta tried to kill Dale, and Allen killed them for their failure.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failure
Noun
-
The immunity would not apply in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the dispatcher.—
Jessie Opoien,
jsonline.com,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The catching of a culprit—more than three decades after the fact, without forensic evidence or eyewitnesses—was heralded as an overdue reparation for police negligence and as a civil-rights milestone for Australia’s gay community.—
Eren Orbey,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Morrissey believes Mizzou will be able to compete with the Crimson Tide, unlike last year’s 34-0 shutout defeat on the road.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
-
And when the intensity hovers, and the footsteps of defeat get closer, that’s when Gray cooks.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The disaster level has officially hit biblical proportions.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
-
There will also be a slight pass given for not having Burrow, but let’s be real, this can’t be an abject disaster.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Recovering and processing that gas, instead of wasting it, could ease Iraq's chronic power shortages.—
Emma Graham,
CNBC,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The outbreak was forcing a shortage of eggs as well, leading some grocers to restrict how many dozens of eggs consumers could buy per visit.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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At one point, the satirical news site The Onion tried to purchase InfoWars at a bankruptcy auction, but the court refused to approve the sale.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Her legal woes are only the latest for the long-running Bravo reality TV franchise, with The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice having served 11 months in jail over a bank and bankruptcy fraud case.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The postpartum period has long been a time of profound neglect for mothers in America, but fortunately, that’s beginning to change—albeit slowly.—
Erin Bunch,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Tiki, who experienced severe neglect before his rescue, has slowly revealed his curious, silly, and loving side to his new family.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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More than two years of war have left Gaza in ruins, triggering famine and the collapse of essential infrastructure.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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His debut novel, Satantango, published in 1985, followed the collapse of a rural community in Hungary, while more recent works, including the novels The Prisoner of Urga and Destruction and Sorrow Beneath the Heavens, were inspired by the author’s travels to Mongolia and China.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some customers complained about the lack of human support, prompting Klarna to rethink part of its AI-first hiring strategy.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
One commenter offers some perspective, agreeing that the brother-in-law’s hurt about the lack of invitation is understandable, but the issue of the date feels less significant.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failure. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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