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
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Instacart is also releasing a longer director’s cut at a later date, expanding the rivalry into a full narrative arc with more dancing, singing and escalating tension — including additional failed flips.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Some experts now describe parts of the country as a failed state.
—Helena Carpio, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
By further taxing its billionaires, California would be falling into the same tempting but failed policy.
—Mariana Trujillo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
By comparison, Brownsberger said the mayor’s plan, by way of Rush’s failed amendment, does not target tax relief to the most vulnerable homeowners.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
If investors now demonstrate a willingness to buy at higher prices, this most recent bounce has the potential to last longer than previous failed attempts.
—Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
This allowed engineers to not only access the failed TBM but also recover the tunnel project.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
Many fans, some of whom weren’t exactly thrilled Joseph was back after a failed two-season stint as Denver’s head coach just a few years earlier, were already calling for his exit.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Federal overreach has failed our children, with literacy rates falling and a bloated federal budget wasting taxpayer dollars.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
As an example, Raskin pointed to the Justice Department’s failed attempt to indict six Democratic lawmakers who urged service members to not comply with unlawful orders in a video posted in November.
—Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Police were working to determine whether the device failed to set off the alarm or whether staff failed to hear it.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
For decades, the federal government has failed to build a modern, durable immigration system.
—Melissa Derosa, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
The New York Times reported that federal prosecutors also tried and failed to obtain indictments against the other four Democrats, in addition to Kelly and Slotkin.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
The National Transportation Safety Board said the FAA and the Army did not share safety data with each other about the alarming number of close calls around Reagan National Airport and failed to address the risks.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
His efforts to support the industry failed, as costs for coal power steadily rose and cleaner alternatives such as natural gas became cheaper.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The largest necessary improvements would be a $266,000 HVAC system, $61,000 in roof repairs and $40,000 to replace failed windows.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Instacart is also releasing a longer director’s cut at a later date, expanding the rivalry into a full narrative arc with more dancing, singing and escalating tension — including additional failed flips.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Some experts now describe parts of the country as a failed state.
—Helena Carpio, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
By further taxing its billionaires, California would be falling into the same tempting but failed policy.
—Mariana Trujillo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
By comparison, Brownsberger said the mayor’s plan, by way of Rush’s failed amendment, does not target tax relief to the most vulnerable homeowners.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
If investors now demonstrate a willingness to buy at higher prices, this most recent bounce has the potential to last longer than previous failed attempts.
—Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
This allowed engineers to not only access the failed TBM but also recover the tunnel project.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
Many fans, some of whom weren’t exactly thrilled Joseph was back after a failed two-season stint as Denver’s head coach just a few years earlier, were already calling for his exit.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
Two months later, the appointment of another nominee, Keith Fountain, failed in a 5-4 decision of the Board of Directors, falling one short of the six votes necessary to confirm him.
—Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Federal overreach has failed our children, with literacy rates falling and a bloated federal budget wasting taxpayer dollars.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
As an example, Raskin pointed to the Justice Department’s failed attempt to indict six Democratic lawmakers who urged service members to not comply with unlawful orders in a video posted in November.
—Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Police were working to determine whether the device failed to set off the alarm or whether staff failed to hear it.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
For decades, the federal government has failed to build a modern, durable immigration system.
—Melissa Derosa, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
The New York Times reported that federal prosecutors also tried and failed to obtain indictments against the other four Democrats, in addition to Kelly and Slotkin.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
The National Transportation Safety Board said the FAA and the Army did not share safety data with each other about the alarming number of close calls around Reagan National Airport and failed to address the risks.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
His efforts to support the industry failed, as costs for coal power steadily rose and cleaner alternatives such as natural gas became cheaper.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failed
Adjective
-
The Star-Telegram attempted to reach Atkins for comment, but was unsuccessful.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Last year, the moderate Democrat took on a crowded field of candidates in an unsuccessful bid to become New York City mayor.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Even so, Elder, in the memorandum to the commission, said a future rise in the number of household shoppers may render the parking inadequate.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Attempting to describe Once Upon a Time in Harlem with words feels inadequate.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As of now, it is known that two people died as a result of this attack.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Feb. 2026
-
One person died Wednesday when a pickup truck crashed in an East County intersection.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Bulls eventually collapsed in a 136-120 loss to the Nuggets before a sellout crowd of 20,939, but the start of the latest rebuild that can’t be called a rebuild was off to an interesting first step nonetheless.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Desperate social media posts from residents reached a fever pitch over the past week, with residents sharing photos of sheets of ice on exterior walls and a ceiling collapsed on cars in a garage.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the date of the appointment drew near, Elliott told the agency she was disappointed that the couple hadn’t been in touch.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
However, there will be some warning bells following the sharp sell-off in Novo Nordisk's shares, after the Danish pharmaceutical rival disappointed investors with its sales projections.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bass, who was politically weakened by her performance during the fire and its aftermath, was already facing more than two dozen challengers looking to oust her in the June 2 primary — the vast majority little known to the public and not expected to pose any threat.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
New York — US stocks dropped Thursday, continuing a recent patch of volatility, as Wall Street grappled with persistent nerves about artificial intelligence and economic data showed the labor market weakened over the past two months.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
It was learned that the girl forgot something after missing the school bus, and while heading back home alone, the stranger approached.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Others forgot their potty training, regressed to food hoarding, or stopped eating.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Police Accountability Board Chair Josh Cayetano said the decision to remove Aguilar was surprising and disappointing.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The disappointing figures indicate the burst of activity at the start of the holiday-shopping season proved to be short-lived.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failed. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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