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
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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
Activists have accused Iranian authorities of killing Amini after her detention on charges of failing to adhere to the country's dress code.
—
Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
But the consultants have also been asked to anticipate a scenario where the measure fails or doesn’t even go on the ballot.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Real efforts at improving access — which many schools have adopted in recent years without enough attention earned — and promoting freer campus climates — which too many schools have failed at — will have to be done simultaneously.
—Jeffrey Herbst, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
Earlier this year, after failing to meet its own October deadline for the rebate’s relaunch, the government passed a measure allowing producers to claim expenses accrued in the final months of 2024 and the start of 2025.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
But the consultants have also been asked to anticipate a scenario where the measure fails or doesn’t even go on the ballot.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Real efforts at improving access — which many schools have adopted in recent years without enough attention earned — and promoting freer campus climates — which too many schools have failed at — will have to be done simultaneously.
—Jeffrey Herbst, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
Earlier this year, after failing to meet its own October deadline for the rebate’s relaunch, the government passed a measure allowing producers to claim expenses accrued in the final months of 2024 and the start of 2025.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail
Verb
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Pride, who died in 2020, is considered to be the country genre's first Black superstar.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
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In Zone 6, chaste tree will die back to the ground in the winter and vigorously regrow in spring to a 5 or 6-foot shrub.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
28 May 2025
Verb
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The security perimeter collapses, and the risk increases exponentially.—
Craig Davies,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
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Video shows the man collapse to the ground, deputies said.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Lindor didn’t disappoint, hitting a two-run double with two outs that eventually gave the Mets a 4-2 win at Coors Field.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2025
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Trump responded during an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz by saying he was disappointed with Musk.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Bias, inaccuracies and missing values can all weaken model reliability.—
Tor Constantino,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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Coercing democratic allies such as Canada or Denmark more broadly weakens trust in U.S. alliances; threatening Panama reawakens fears of imperialism throughout Latin America; crippling the U.S. Agency for International Development undercuts the United States’ reputation for benevolence.—
Robert O. Keohane,
Foreign Affairs,
2 June 2025
Verb
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It’s designed to combat re-arrest and re-incarceration after imprisonment—known as recidivism, create jobs and build dignity for those the system tries to forget.—
Kizzy Cox,
Essence,
4 June 2025
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For one, no studio wants to release its film too early, only to be forgotten when another major contender comes along.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Verb
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The teen crashed the car two minutes later, colliding into another vehicle at Folsom Boulevard and Manlove Avenue, before the driver surrendered to deputies, sheriff’s officials said.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2025
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The stock market crashed upon Trump’s announcement, with the S&P falling nearly 5% the next day and the Nasdaq down nearly 6%.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Both teams had their first two penalties saved, before Steaua eventually got themselves together to score two… which was enough because Barca missed all four of theirs.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Kirsten Acuna,
People.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
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However, the glamour faded soon after the team docked in Manhattan.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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That faded, and Maresca’s task will be maintaining the charge next season.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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