1
as in defeats
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disasters
something that has failed
the students' first attempt to build a homemade rocket was a disappointing failure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in shortages
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
4
as in bankruptcies
the inability to pay one's debts
years of prolonged economic depression, when business failures were common
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of failures
Yet, these authors and their peers such as Naomi Schaefer Riley continually shrink this extraordinarily complex problem to outcomes only — framing broken families in deeply dark narratives of horror, highlighting failures and demanding accountability.
—
Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Johnson said the failures cost Stephen Nolte his life.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
And yet somehow, his fans don’t read these abject failures the same way the rest of us do.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
This is a rich, complex memoir in which Foo explores her familial roots, the impact of intergenerational trauma in Asian-American immigrant communities, the failures of American healthcare, and the patriarchal erasure of women’s suffering.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
David Mandell said the procedural hiccups are indicative of the group’s broader failures to understand the existing scientific literature on autism as well as past meetings.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026
Companies with agricultural supply chains — from food and beverage manufacturers to commodity traders, insurers, and logistics firms — absorb fertilizer shocks through input costs, contract failures, and sovereign credit risk in key sourcing markets.
—Carlos Alvarado Quesada, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026
The failures are instructive, too.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
More recently, fans trying to buy tickets for major tours, like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, BTS, Bruce Springsteen, and Harry Styles have faced sky-high prices, system failures, and a lack of real alternatives.
—Letitia James, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Johnson said the failures cost Stephen Nolte his life.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
And yet somehow, his fans don’t read these abject failures the same way the rest of us do.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
This is a rich, complex memoir in which Foo explores her familial roots, the impact of intergenerational trauma in Asian-American immigrant communities, the failures of American healthcare, and the patriarchal erasure of women’s suffering.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
David Mandell said the procedural hiccups are indicative of the group’s broader failures to understand the existing scientific literature on autism as well as past meetings.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026
Companies with agricultural supply chains — from food and beverage manufacturers to commodity traders, insurers, and logistics firms — absorb fertilizer shocks through input costs, contract failures, and sovereign credit risk in key sourcing markets.
—Carlos Alvarado Quesada, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026
The failures are instructive, too.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
More recently, fans trying to buy tickets for major tours, like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, BTS, Bruce Springsteen, and Harry Styles have faced sky-high prices, system failures, and a lack of real alternatives.
—Letitia James, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failures
Noun
-
Wolves were still fighting for survival long after relegation appeared an inevitability but three defeats, without scoring a goal, in their past three games suggest Sunderland could enjoy themselves at Molineux on Saturday.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Lula is yet to make public comments about his defeats in Congress.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With an adjournment deadline of midnight Wednesday, Ritter is facing daily disasters and dramas relating to lawmakers clamoring for votes on bills destined to die without their moment on the floor.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
-
Miller served for a decade as chairman of Team Rubicon, a nonprofit that helps communities around the globe recover from disasters.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Travelers should brace for higher airfares this summer due to looming jet fuel shortages amid the war with Iran.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
-
Our economy is suffering too, with critical workforce shortages of teachers and nurses.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Facing two bankruptcies since 2024 and rising fuel prices due to the Iran war, Spirit has sought a lifeline from the federal government.—
Kris Van Cleave,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Two bankruptcies and six law enforcement jobs in three years.—
Ryan J. Foley,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As the sun's core collapses, its outer layers, where nuclear fusion is still occurring, will puff out to around 100 times the original width of the sun — maybe more.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Marin stuck to her plan of staying close until a moment that changed everything with shocking swiftness — her changing her mind and going for the green on the par-5 13th for a go-ahead birdie, and Talley adding to the sad history of collapses on the back nine at the home of the Masters.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Breakouts would reinforce the prevailing uptrend, while disappointments could trigger near-term volatility and bring support levels in focus.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Have there been any disappointments?—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ford’s freedom or constraints, his prejudices or lacks, gauge his moment and ours.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Dipping into 2027 draft capital to make a fifth-round selection in a draft that Schneider has repeatedly said lacks depth is a surprising move.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Farming has always been a challenging endeavor, one that operates at the whim of external forces but with little margin for setbacks.—
The Virginian Pilot And Daily Press Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
-
Building codes also pose challenges that can impact sinks and setbacks for fire safety for ovens.—
John W. Bateman,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failures. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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