1
as in dies
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in collapses
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disappoints
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 weakens
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 forgets
to miss the opportunity or obligation
failed to mention that he was looking for new job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fails
But if that process fails, Eddie Bauer shops in the US and Canada operated by the LLC could close, the company noted.
—
Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Sometimes the figure tries and fails to stand up, slapping itself with floppy, almost boneless limbs.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Trump has threatened more sanctions and tariffs on Russia if Moscow fails to make a deal with Ukraine to end its war, which this month will turn four years old.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
Stocks sold off last week as the latest quarterly reports from Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Amazon and Alphabet revealed stepped up capital expenditure plans that revived worries about the spending if AI fails to become profitable.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
When the media fails to provide the meta-view, when policymakers recycle failed economic tools, and when adversaries understand American history better than Americans do, the nation becomes reactive rather than responsive, and a reactive superpower is a vulnerable one.
—Carol L. Harris, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
On offense, Seattle has multiple options and can always throw to Jaxson Smith-Njigba if all else fails.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
The Shift from Profit to Purpose While most companies are in the business of making money, history shows that greed as a business strategy often fails.
—Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
And if all else fails, throw a boneless rib eye or skirt steak in the freezer until firm and use a sharp knife to slice it yourself.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Sometimes the figure tries and fails to stand up, slapping itself with floppy, almost boneless limbs.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Trump has threatened more sanctions and tariffs on Russia if Moscow fails to make a deal with Ukraine to end its war, which this month will turn four years old.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
Stocks sold off last week as the latest quarterly reports from Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Amazon and Alphabet revealed stepped up capital expenditure plans that revived worries about the spending if AI fails to become profitable.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
When the media fails to provide the meta-view, when policymakers recycle failed economic tools, and when adversaries understand American history better than Americans do, the nation becomes reactive rather than responsive, and a reactive superpower is a vulnerable one.
—Carol L. Harris, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
On offense, Seattle has multiple options and can always throw to Jaxson Smith-Njigba if all else fails.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
The Shift from Profit to Purpose While most companies are in the business of making money, history shows that greed as a business strategy often fails.
—Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
And if all else fails, throw a boneless rib eye or skirt steak in the freezer until firm and use a sharp knife to slice it yourself.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fails
Verb
-
The Yoda character always dies, which is really what Elliott is, and then becomes, in some strange way, more powerful after their death.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Football is the framing device for this romantic fantasy about LA Rams quarterback Joe Pendleton, who wins the starting job, then dies in a traffic accident while biking home (thanks to angelic error).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Multiple Independence homeowners suffered structural damage, flooding or partial home collapses that week, including Manuel Ramirez and Michael Thomas, whose home was built in 1949.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Social psychologists have long demonstrated that when individuals merge into a group, nuance collapses.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Best Amazon Designer Shoes Deals Last but not least, Amazon's designer shoe section never disappoints.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Brooklinen’s high-quality bedding never disappoints, and their down comforter is no exception.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When the vortex weakens, that tight circle becomes wavier, akin to how a slow-moving river tends to meander in bends across the landscape, Swain says.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In contrast to conventional recycling, which weakens fibers and limits how they can be reused, Uplift360’s non-degenerative method produces material that can go straight back into high-performance supply chains.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Alesia forgets to add sugar to the mixture.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
3 Feb. 2026
-
In making introductions, Francesca freezes, then forgets her own name.—
Emily Kelleher,
InStyle,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The United States' Lindsey Vonn crashes into a gate during an Alpine ski women's downhill race in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Sunday.—
The Sports Desk,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
-
When the plane crashes en route, Linda and Bradley are stranded together.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This group shows how much the tournament misses Russia, talent-wise.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Normally, Ralston said, a person that misses a turn would just swing around quickly and backtrack.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Finally, the nebula fades away and only a white dwarf is left behind.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
-
City of London skyline with 20 Fenchurch Street, affectionately nicknamed the Walkie Talkie as light fades at dusk on 27th November 2025 in London, United Kingdom.—
Hugh Leask,Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fails. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
