1
as in to die
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to collapse
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to disappoint
to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of
although the minor-league franchise continues to fail local fans, hope springs eternal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to weaken
to lose bodily strength or vigor
ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to forget
to miss the opportunity or obligation
failed to mention that he was looking for new job
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fail
Last July, when the blade failed, foam fiberglass and other debris settled to the ocean floor, entered the water table and littered Nantucket beaches for months.
—
Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
The agency failed to answer thousands of calls from flood survivors after allowing contracts for call-center workers to lapse one day after the disaster, according to The New York Times.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
The Padres had a runner at second with one out in the seventh and ninth innings and failed to score.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
My father, whom my mother married and divorced twice, failed to convince me to attend the only college that accepted me.
—Rebecca Chace
july 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
The agency failed to answer thousands of calls from flood survivors after allowing contracts for call-center workers to lapse one day after the disaster, according to The New York Times.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
The Padres had a runner at second with one out in the seventh and ninth innings and failed to score.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
My father, whom my mother married and divorced twice, failed to convince me to attend the only college that accepted me.
—Rebecca Chace
july 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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The department’s homicide unit is investigating the death, as is the department’s protocol when someone dies while in custody.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
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In Gaza, though, no one knows precisely how many people have died, or what proportion were innocents; the Gaza Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, maintains that more than half were women and children.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Verb
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The episode ended with a deep-fake public service announcement that showed Trump walking through the desert, taking off his clothes and collapsing nude in the sand.—
Christine Ricciardi,
Chicago Tribune,
25 July 2025
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Ramirez’s Independence home was condemned by the city after a basement wall collapsed during the storms.—
Maddie Carr,
Kansas City Star,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Aramark said in a statement earlier this week that the company was disappointed in the strike deadline and that contingency plans are in place to ensure fans at Fenway Park will have the ability to purchase food and drink during the games this weekend.—
Michael Hurley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
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However, Humphrey said the defense came away from Wednesday’s first practice disappointed in its play and its inability to force turnovers.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
Verb
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This weakens their ability to educate, create, and grow.—
Miguel Cardona,
Time,
21 July 2025
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This could help verify recent findings from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) that suggest this strange force is actually weakening over time.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
20 July 2025
Verb
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People sometimes forget that being a legendary vocalist means more than just hitting the right notes.—
Mars Salazar,
Austin American Statesman,
23 July 2025
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And a lot of people forget that in the beginning, The Osbournes was just an MTV experiment.—
Matthew Schnipper,
Vulture,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Earlier that day, another drone crashed near the airport in Kirkuk, which was previously hit four days earlier with rockets in another unclaimed attack.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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While seemingly getting ready to give Russell the place, Verstappen crashed into the side of the Briton's car.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Pro Bowl quarterback Matthew Stafford was expected to miss the first handful of practices with a sore back, but head coach Sean McVay gave an update on Stafford's status on Saturday that likely has Rams fans at least a little concerned.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 July 2025
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The Milwaukee Police Department has requested public assistance in their efforts to locate Andrew K. Addae, a critically missing 54-year-old man.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
27 July 2025
Verb
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The celestial trio will remain close to each other throughout the night, with Saturn and Neptune eventually fading from sight in the southern sky when the sun rises on July 16.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
15 July 2025
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The brand recommends avoiding dabbing or blotting after applying the spray, as this can cause the fragrance to break down and fade.—
Jennifer Hussein,
Allure,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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