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
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 failure
Most interpreted that as a failure to engineer a better pass rush through blitzing, something the 49ers rarely did.
—
Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Quitting cold turkey can worsen withdrawal symptoms that are associated with a higher failure rate.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Jan. 2025
This waste crisis also underscores a broader issue: our failure to treat waste as a resource.
—Ryan Castalia, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025
Not typically covered is the cost of scheduled maintenance, wear-and-tear items like brake pads and windshield wiper blades, and failure caused by abuse or improper maintenance.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for failure 
Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Quitting cold turkey can worsen withdrawal symptoms that are associated with a higher failure rate.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Jan. 2025
This waste crisis also underscores a broader issue: our failure to treat waste as a resource.
—Ryan Castalia, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025
Not typically covered is the cost of scheduled maintenance, wear-and-tear items like brake pads and windshield wiper blades, and failure caused by abuse or improper maintenance.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for failure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failure
Noun
-
Mothers fear that a lack of diapers could be taken as a sign of negligence and lead to children being removed from their custody.—
Laura Clawson,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Jan. 2025
-
Staff and security at the Kaseya Center—a co-defendant accused of gross negligence—allegedly prevented the acquaintance from following the woman and McGregor into the bathroom (the Kaseya Center did not immediately respond to a request for comment).—
Ty Roush,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Despite Fritz’s defeat, there remains a healthy contingent of US participants in the tournament, with Monfils facing American Ben Shelton in the fourth round on Monday.—
Matias Grez,
CNN,
18 Jan. 2025
-
Their first defeat since December 7 must be quickly consigned to history and Howe’s team must learn how to better recover from setbacks at home.—
Chris Waugh,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Related article What is ‘Kessler Syndrome’ — and why do some scientists think the space disaster scenario has already started?—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN,
17 Jan. 2025
-
As the potential new lead of the nation's federal national disaster response, Noem may also face questions about her handling of devastating floods in her state.—
Lexie Schapitl,
NPR,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Rather than going after industry technology or enforcing restrictive mandates, Maryland policymakers should look to these successful models and focus on the underlying issues — the housing shortage, inflationary pressures and overregulation.—
David Byrd,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Nandy said creative industry bosses have told her about skills shortages stemming from a lack of investment and the downgrading of arts subjects on the school curriculum.—
George Nelson,
ARTnews.com,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Sometimes, this debt can lead to draining retirement savings and even personal bankruptcy.—
Next Avenue,
Forbes,
27 Jan. 2025
-
His prior experience includes financial restructuring at Northwest Airlines during its bankruptcy proceedings.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The average student Oakmont teaches has had multiple adverse childhood experiences, serious traumas ranging from abuse and neglect to seeing their parents incarcerated or die to family drug addiction or other forms of instability.—
Michael McShane,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
-
That dynamic, the news organization found, has resulted in fraud, abuse and neglect of the state’s most vulnerable.—
Jake Pearson,
ProPublica,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Last year was supposed to be a time of recovery for the PC market following a major collapse in sales.—
Michael Kan,
PCMAG,
16 Jan. 2025
-
Prosecutors in Serbia have charged 13 individuals, including a government minister, in connection with the Novi Sad collapse, though doubts about the investigation's independence persist.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
After an underwhelming opening, the Disney release has shown good staying power, taking advantage of January’s lack of competition.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
25 Jan. 2025
-
But he will occasionally get beat by good shooters and his lack of size has been exposed at times by pros.—
Scott Wheeler,
The Athletic,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near failure
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failure. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share