: a usually slight or insignificant defect in character, conduct, or ability
: in absence or default of
failing specific instructions, use your own judgment
Examples of failing in a Sentence
Noun
He has some minor failings.
we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night
Preposition
Failing progress in the peace process, war seems likely.
Recent Examples on the Web
William Arruda, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
One major failing has been a slow response to an obvious need for more water storage — either in reservoirs or underground aquifers — to capture winter rains and spring snowmelts as a buffer for dry years.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
However, individual people’s failings do not erase the group’s efforts to care for people through social service and education programs.
—Mickell Carter / Made By History, TIME, 19 Feb. 2025
Despite efforts by the small Republican contingent in the state Legislature to cast light on these failings, the agency remained immune from true accountability until the pandemic-era disaster struck.
—Lanhee J. Chen, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failing
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Noun
Organizations must stop treating burnout as a personal failing or an unavoidable reality of today’s workplace, and start recognizing it as a systemic issue.
—William Arruda, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
One major failing has been a slow response to an obvious need for more water storage — either in reservoirs or underground aquifers — to capture winter rains and spring snowmelts as a buffer for dry years.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
However, individual people’s failings do not erase the group’s efforts to care for people through social service and education programs.
—Mickell Carter / Made By History, TIME, 19 Feb. 2025
Despite efforts by the small Republican contingent in the state Legislature to cast light on these failings, the agency remained immune from true accountability until the pandemic-era disaster struck.
—Lanhee J. Chen, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failing
Cite this Entry
“Failing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/failing. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
failing
1 of 2 noun
fail·ing
ˈfā-liŋ 
failing
2 of 2 preposition
: in the absence or lack of
failing specific instructions, use your own judgment
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