: 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
Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
Mitigating a threat is the priority for every security team, nobody wants to be dealing with the fallout of failings to do.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
There were some things that were new, including assessments by Shi of his and Wolves’ failings during his nine years at the helm, a frank assessment of the end of Gary O’Neil’s Molineux reign, and a new take on the Fosun glory years under Nuno Espirito Santo.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 2 July 2025
Dakota Johnson continues to speak her mind on the failings of contemporary Hollywood.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for failing
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The questioning included probing organizational systems in place to manage risk, and NTSB board member Michael Graham noted the breakdowns were a failing of these essential programs.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
Mitigating a threat is the priority for every security team, nobody wants to be dealing with the fallout of failings to do.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
There were some things that were new, including assessments by Shi of his and Wolves’ failings during his nine years at the helm, a frank assessment of the end of Gary O’Neil’s Molineux reign, and a new take on the Fosun glory years under Nuno Espirito Santo.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 2 July 2025
Dakota Johnson continues to speak her mind on the failings of contemporary Hollywood.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 13 June 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 5 Aug. 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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