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
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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
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3
as in disaster
something that has failed
the students' first attempt to build a homemade rocket was a disappointing failure
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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
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5
as in bankruptcy
the inability to pay one's debts
years of prolonged economic depression, when business failures were common
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of failure
The slaying, his manifesto, and his medical history have unleashed a wave of contempt for the U.S. healthcare system as well as horror stories about its failures.
—
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 13 Dec. 2024
The failure of an 11th-hour inspection last week left them seemingly with no option other than to shutter Los Padrinos, which had been open less than a year and a half.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
People who are infected may experience mild symptoms, from upper respiratory symptoms to conjunctivitis/pink eye, or more severe symptoms, which include pneumonia, multi-organ failure, or death.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Time: If the prices of groceries don't come down, will your presidency be a failure?
—Stefan Becket, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for failure 
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 13 Dec. 2024
The failure of an 11th-hour inspection last week left them seemingly with no option other than to shutter Los Padrinos, which had been open less than a year and a half.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
People who are infected may experience mild symptoms, from upper respiratory symptoms to conjunctivitis/pink eye, or more severe symptoms, which include pneumonia, multi-organ failure, or death.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Time: If the prices of groceries don't come down, will your presidency be a failure?
—Stefan Becket, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for failure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failure
Noun
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Martinez's contract says he can be fired for cause, including incompetence, negligence, fraud and a range of other issues.Carrie Shepherd, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024
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While some firearms might have been lost due to negligence, thousands of firearms reported missing by law enforcement agencies were later discovered to have been improperly sold or traded, the letter said.E.D. Cauchi, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Newcastle went strong, righting the wrong of a vapid 4-2 defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium earlier this month.George Caulkin, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
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First-year Tulane coach Jon Sumrall doesn’t want to end with three straight defeats, but recognizes the challenge ahead.Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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As climate shocks get worse, insurance companies are increasingly dropping homeowners facing risks of hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters.Mira Rojanasakul, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2024
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Developing Highly Detailed Maps Geospatial mapping technology could be better leveraged in disasters.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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There is a shortage of cheery Tennessee high school football news this week.Tyler Palmateer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
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Detainees have previously complained about constant violence, deplorable conditions, severe staffing shortages and the frequent smuggling of drugs and other contraband, the Associated Press reported in September.Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Health bills are the leading cause of personal bankruptcy.Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024
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Health care expenses are a top cause of bankruptcy in the U.S., a 2019 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found.Gretchen Morgenson, NBC News, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Lewis, 57, was charged with one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and Scala, 67, was charged with fourth-degree abuse and neglect of children.Landon Mion, Fox News, 15 Dec. 2024
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Many of the babies born in the Magdalene Laundries, died from starvation, from the cold and from neglect.Maelle Beauget-Uhl, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Massachusetts officials repeatedly failed to hold Steward Health Care accountable for regulatory violations for over a decade, contributing to the hospital chain's eventual collapse and undermining parts of the state's health care system.Mike Deehan, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024
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Lawmaking has largely ground to halt since the government’s collapse.Sophie Tanno, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Windows 11 is still an appalling tablet OS with a crippling lack of touch-friendly apps, and the stylus has an irritating input lag that makes scribbling on screen unsatisfactory.Barry Collins, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
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There is a lack of medical supplies, including prosthetics, wheelchairs and essential medications to treat people with injuries that have left them disabled, the press release said.Diaa Ostaz, ABC News, 14 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near failure
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failure. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
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