1
as in defeats
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disasters
something that has failed
the students' first attempt to build a homemade rocket was a disappointing failure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in shortages
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
4
as in bankruptcies
the inability to pay one's debts
years of prolonged economic depression, when business failures were common
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of failures
As the fallout from this incident continues, the scandal has revealed significant failures of basic security principles that everyone should be aware of — but that White House cabinet members and government officials should absolutely abide by.
—
Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Even minor changes could result in cascading failures across programs.
—Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 28 Mar. 2025
Despite previous test failures and skepticism from space experts, Musk remains confident about his timeline.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2025
Alas, all three explanations only led to spectacular failures.
—Big Think, 27 Mar. 2025
The Dali’s captain, crew and owners should be held accountable for failing to operate the ship correctly and in a safe manner but the Democrats in this state are hugely responsible for other related failures.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2025
The staff report said there were failures at both ends of the pipe, and up to 250 feet of it will need to be replaced.
—Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
However, if there are high-profile (and to some in China's leadership, embarrassing) failures, would China be so willing to fund such an ambitious program?
—ArsTechnica, 27 Mar. 2025
Coaches must put players in position to succeed, learn from their failures and maximize the traits that got them to the NFL.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Even minor changes could result in cascading failures across programs.
—Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 28 Mar. 2025
Despite previous test failures and skepticism from space experts, Musk remains confident about his timeline.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2025
Alas, all three explanations only led to spectacular failures.
—Big Think, 27 Mar. 2025
The Dali’s captain, crew and owners should be held accountable for failing to operate the ship correctly and in a safe manner but the Democrats in this state are hugely responsible for other related failures.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2025
The staff report said there were failures at both ends of the pipe, and up to 250 feet of it will need to be replaced.
—Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
However, if there are high-profile (and to some in China's leadership, embarrassing) failures, would China be so willing to fund such an ambitious program?
—ArsTechnica, 27 Mar. 2025
Coaches must put players in position to succeed, learn from their failures and maximize the traits that got them to the NFL.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failures
Noun
-
Heroes protect people and society from accidents, disasters, and villains—criminals who use their Quirks for evil.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Severe weather disasters that result in damage of at least $1 billion now average 23 per year and have doubled since the 2010s, according to Bank of America.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Mabe said chronic staffing shortages must be fixed.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
The Enquirer,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Corrections facilities were long understaffed before the COVID-19 pandemic, and shortages have continued in the years since, Mabe said.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
The Enquirer,
27 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Over 79% of the mega bankruptcies cited it as a significant contributing factor.—
Joe Camberato,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
This is the highest number of mega bankruptcies in a six-month period since the Covid-19 pandemic.—
Joe Camberato,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The biggest disappointments this season involve Roby Jarventie not getting a recall, but that was due to injury.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Chief among the disappointments was the penalty shootout defeat by League Two Colchester United in 2019-20.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Competing in a high-speed, high-pressure environment taught me to make the quick decisions necessary to grow a company while remaining strong in the face of setbacks.—
Tom Dunlop,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
But their efforts weren’t enough for Maryland (11-4, 1-3 Big Ten), which left the Pacific time zone with back-to-back setbacks after getting surprised by Washington, 75-69, on Thursday night.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The ongoing civil war has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophes and diplomatic efforts to bring the conflict to an end have failed.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Those cuts have been felt in the meager US response to the Myanmar quake, according to experts, exposing a void in international relief measures for major catastrophes.—
Rebecca Wright,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Two days off to decompress and diagnose the deficiencies in Smith’s swing are more productive than pushing him to play through his struggles and risking cratered confidence.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
-
People often turn to vitamins, minerals, herbs and other dietary supplements to help address nutrient deficiencies.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Failures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failures. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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