1
as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action
your failure to check the batteries in the smoke detector could have tragic results
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in defeat
a falling short of one's goals
the failure of the school's fund-raising drive was a big disappointment to all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disaster
something that has failed
the students' first attempt to build a homemade rocket was a disappointing failure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
the failure of the potato crop had a devastating effect on the population of Ireland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in bankruptcy
the inability to pay one's debts
years of prolonged economic depression, when business failures were common
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of failure
Dominick highlights how crop performance, irrigation failures, and equipment maintenance can be monitored instantly, transforming raw data into operational intelligence.
—
Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Their success depended on the failure of their teammate and friend.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
My proprietary analysis reveals a systemic failure in talent mobility.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
The legal department will have to review and approve all contracts, and an employee’s failure to get the approval will result in disciplinary action, including possible termination, Egan said.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for failure
Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Their success depended on the failure of their teammate and friend.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
My proprietary analysis reveals a systemic failure in talent mobility.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
The legal department will have to review and approve all contracts, and an employee’s failure to get the approval will result in disciplinary action, including possible termination, Egan said.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for failure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failure
Noun
-
Plaintiffs in the Los Angeles bellwether and related cases have sought to get around those protections by relying on claims about corporate negligence and flawed product design, similar to those brought against opioid maker Purdue Pharma in recent years and Big Tobacco in the 1990s.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Google similarly denies any claims of negligence.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Stafford also engineered late game-winning drives in playoff victories over the Carolina Panthers and the Chicago Bears before the Rams suffered a 31-27 defeat by the Seahawks in the NFC championship.—
Gary Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Seattle bounced back from a defeat against the Ducks at Honda Center 24 hours earlier that snapped a four-game win streak.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Another measure, House Bill 1645, would create state versions of FEMA programs as Mississippi officials prepare for reduced federal disaster support.—
ALEX ROZIER Mississippi Today,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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The February 2021 freeze became one of the deadliest and costliest disasters in state history.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Houston Chronicle,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Joining Air New Zealand just as the COVID-19 pandemic loomed, Foran tackled a series of crises, from persistent shortages of engine components to the grounding of up to 11 aircraft.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
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Several others were wounded and taken for treatment in Rahad, which faces severe medical supplies shortages like many areas in the Kordofan region, the statement said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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By one estimation, 78% of NFL players experience bankruptcy of financial stress just two years after retirement.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
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But, health care also should not be an economic system, and medical debt should not be the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States either.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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State child welfare workers declined to open investigations into abuse or neglect in these instances, yet referred them to law enforcement anyway.—
Shoshana Walter,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Several cool props gestured to historical infrastructural neglect and botched Hurricane Maria recovery efforts.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Yamil Lage | Afp | Getty Images Cuba’s communist-run government is facing its biggest test since the collapse of the Soviet Union.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The stars eventually go supernova, and their respective cores collapse to form black holes containing as much as 100 times the mass of the sun.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There should be empathy for his injury, but no sympathy for his lack of production.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
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Other experts said the subject’s movement could illustrate a lack of urgency.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failure. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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