1
as in unsuccessful
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in inadequate
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in died
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in collapsed
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disappointed
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 weakened
to lose bodily strength or vigor
ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in forgot
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 failed
Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 13 May 2026
Miami’s past holds surprising stories of ambition and reinvention, from a Bulgarian artist wrapping islands in pink fabric to a failed bid to become the film capital of the world.
—Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
After her failed coup, Emily is poised for redemption and a rebrand…at Coach.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 May 2026
Details vary from region to region, but generally speaking, a kuntilanak was, in life, a woman who died during pregnancy or labor without successfully giving birth to a child (a failed mother, in short).
—Literary Hub, 5 May 2026
The professional athlete, in total, has had four D&Cs, a surgical procedure often performed after a miscarriage during which the cervix is dilated so that abnormal tissue can be removed from the uterine lining, per Johns Hopkins Medicine, six failed IVF transfers and eight egg retrievals.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Coleman suffered from congenital, progressive kidney disease throughout his life and underwent two failed transplants.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Besides Senator Niello's failed bill, there are several other proposals still alive seeking to revamp the elderly parole program.
—Steve Large, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
DeSantis had backed a failed bill that also sought to require health care practitioners who administer vaccines to offer parents an alternative vaccine schedule and to provide parents with information about the benefits and risks at the time of vaccination.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Having failed to please Greene with her abstractions, Lovelace O’Neal applied the powder directly to her white canvases, covering it in black pigment that became a background to pastel squiggles.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 May 2026
During the trial, the defense also criticized the state's evidence and argued law enforcement failed to collect key information because they were too narrowly focused on Murdaugh as a suspect.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 13 May 2026
The measure failed to advance, 49-50.
—Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
However, Baldwin’s Conservatives were in a far weaker position, having failed to win a majority at the recent election.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 13 May 2026
That’s the first time in three years wages failed to outpace prices.
—Lee Williamson, Fortune, 13 May 2026
At a retrial last year, jurors failed to reach a verdict on Mann’s portion of the case, leading to a second retrial this year.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
The comeback attempt eventually failed, though.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026
Adjective
But generally speaking, no matter the artist’s gender, most songs talk about relationships, many times failed ones, yet women will fill the rooms of men singing about those topics, and the opposite is not necessarily true—especially not in Lily’s case where her lyrics cut like razors.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 13 May 2026
Miami’s past holds surprising stories of ambition and reinvention, from a Bulgarian artist wrapping islands in pink fabric to a failed bid to become the film capital of the world.
—Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
After her failed coup, Emily is poised for redemption and a rebrand…at Coach.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 May 2026
Details vary from region to region, but generally speaking, a kuntilanak was, in life, a woman who died during pregnancy or labor without successfully giving birth to a child (a failed mother, in short).
—Literary Hub, 5 May 2026
The professional athlete, in total, has had four D&Cs, a surgical procedure often performed after a miscarriage during which the cervix is dilated so that abnormal tissue can be removed from the uterine lining, per Johns Hopkins Medicine, six failed IVF transfers and eight egg retrievals.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Coleman suffered from congenital, progressive kidney disease throughout his life and underwent two failed transplants.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Besides Senator Niello's failed bill, there are several other proposals still alive seeking to revamp the elderly parole program.
—Steve Large, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
DeSantis had backed a failed bill that also sought to require health care practitioners who administer vaccines to offer parents an alternative vaccine schedule and to provide parents with information about the benefits and risks at the time of vaccination.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
One attempt to stop single-serve liquor bans failed in the Senate on Tuesday, but it could be revived in another bill.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Having failed to please Greene with her abstractions, Lovelace O’Neal applied the powder directly to her white canvases, covering it in black pigment that became a background to pastel squiggles.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 May 2026
During the trial, the defense also criticized the state's evidence and argued law enforcement failed to collect key information because they were too narrowly focused on Murdaugh as a suspect.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 13 May 2026
The measure failed to advance, 49-50.
—Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
However, Baldwin’s Conservatives were in a far weaker position, having failed to win a majority at the recent election.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 13 May 2026
That’s the first time in three years wages failed to outpace prices.
—Lee Williamson, Fortune, 13 May 2026
At a retrial last year, jurors failed to reach a verdict on Mann’s portion of the case, leading to a second retrial this year.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
The comeback attempt eventually failed, though.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failed
Adjective
-
Investigators said that an initial PIT maneuver was unsuccessful, but a second one caused the truck to crash into another vehicle and roll over onto its side – an incident that was caught on home surveillance video.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
Jeremy Brandon Johnson, 53, of Eveleth, was pronounced dead at the scene after lifesaving measures were unsuccessful.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
The children were processed in tents before being taken to emergency shelters run by the Department of Health and Human Services, some of which were criticized by child welfare advocates as having inadequate conditions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
In a separate study, Perez recently found that evidence showing that depression scales hold steady across other features, such as gender and culture, is inadequate.—
Simon Makin,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died, the NBA announced.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
Monty, one half of a pair of beloved piping plovers that spent several summers along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Chicago, died at Montrose Beach, officials said.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Although Detroit collapsed in the second round, the front office’s confidence in Bickerstaff, who signed a contract extension the day after the Pistons ousted the Orlando Magic in the first round, hasn’t wavered.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Decker collapsed during a training exercise on Thursday afternoon in the 6600 block of North Kedzie Avenue in West Rogers Park.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
McGregor, the most popular fighter in UFC history whose rumors of a return have disappointed fans for years, will return July 11 to face fan favorite Max Holloway at UFC 329 in the main event of International Fight Week.—
Mark Puleo,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
What To Do Hit The Beaches You won't be disappointed with the list of activities Cape San Blas's beaches offer.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
However, when the researchers adjusted the findings for other factors that can affect risk for the conditions, known as confounders — such as genetic and familial influences and the reasons for taking antidepressants — most links significantly weakened or disappeared.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
Starmer’s authority weakened after Labor’s poor performance in recent elections, blamed on policy missteps, economic struggles, and the prime minister’s controversial decisions, including appointing an ambassador with ties to Jeffrey Epstein.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Troup, who died in 1999, never forgot the difference the song made, both in his life and the way people think about the road.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Stephenson apparently forgot that rule, but the Reds broadcasters didn't.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.—
Noah Alcala Bach,
San Antonio Express-News,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failed. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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