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
Yet the Dane played more minutes than anyone else during the opening two friendlies, largely because Eddie Howe has a significant lack of strikers at his disposal following Callum Wilson’s exit, Alexander Isak’s non-appearance on tour and the failure to sign a centre-forward for now.
—
The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
Russian success or failure on the front line will be measured in a matter of weeks.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2025
Without expert management, too much talent in one group can lead to diminishing returns — or even outright failure — if egos clash and the chemistry is poor enough.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
The launch was the first since a California Starlink launch that ended up with a second-stage failure that grounded the Falcon 9.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
Russian success or failure on the front line will be measured in a matter of weeks.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2025
Without expert management, too much talent in one group can lead to diminishing returns — or even outright failure — if egos clash and the chemistry is poor enough.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
The launch was the first since a California Starlink launch that ended up with a second-stage failure that grounded the Falcon 9.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failure
Noun
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Now he’s been charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, as well as attempting to leave the scene of the Feb. 10 collision on the 300 block of West Winton Avenue in Hayward.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
22 Aug. 2025
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The funeral home is under investigation for willful dishonest conduct, negligence and fraud, among other charges, according to state documents.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The 1-0 defeat served as the final test event before Everton’s new 52,769-capacity home, situated on Liverpool’s waterfront, opens for competitive action this weekend against Brighton & Hove Albion.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
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Also in 2021: The Cubs set a franchise record with the team’s 13th consecutive home loss in a 9-1 defeat at the hands of the Kansas City Royals at Wrigley Field.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The assessment will inform a potential request by Gov. Tony Evers for a presidential disaster declaration, which would unlock federal aid.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Federal and state agencies have said little on whether immigration enforcement would be suspended in a disaster.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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There is a solution already before Congress: the End Kidney Deaths Act (H.R. 2687), a bipartisan bill that could finally end the kidney shortage.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Aug. 2025
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The group says the law would increase costs and burdens on restaurants that are already struggling with rising food prices, tariffs, labor shortages and cost-conscious consumers.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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About The Daily Money Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
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So the timeline would be as follows: GM: until 2019, vehicle manufacturing Lordstown Motors: 2019-2022 Foxconn/Hon Hai: 2022-current Reports also show that Foxconn had intended to manufacture the Fisker Pear there prior to Fisker’s bankruptcy.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Florida Department of Law Enforcement What To Know Turner, who lives in Miami-Dade County, had a previous warrant out for her arrest in Miami on charges of child neglect.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Aug. 2025
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For construction firms, where projects are complex, labor markets tight, and safety paramount, the consequences of leadership neglect are magnified.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Since the 1990s, the pace of collapse has picked up.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
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When markets freeze and there's no backstop, cascades can turn into floods instantly, triggering catastrophic collapse.—
Roomy Khan,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Another driver of instability is the lack of details about the trade agreements that have so far been reached.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
17 Aug. 2025
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Feeding those intrusive thoughts was a lack of precedent.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failure. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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