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
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 failures
The Ford’s deployment is notable not only for its length but also its pace, with operations in two hemispheres, combat in the Middle East, and maintenance challenges, including recurring plumbing failures that drew public attention.
—
Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
The foundation said that besides Lee's 911 call, at least four other 911 calls were made by others that day, including from her husband and people who saw parts of the crime unfolding -- but that communication failures and other issues prevented help from being sent.
—David Fischer The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
Over the last year, two corrective action plans were created for caseload failures, late court reports, undocumented visits, and two judicial contempt findings totaling $1,000, the document said.
—Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
But none of these events, which many women faced in Anglo‑Saxon England, were failures or punishments in the ritual.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
There have been, of course, changes along the way, innovations, failures, troubles, new formats, frequency of publication from weekly to monthly, and joys, many of them captured in this issue’s lively conversation among the four principals.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
However, communication failures and other issues prevented help from being sent.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Traditional tampons have vertical channels that can lead to fluid leaks and premature failures.
—Luisa Beltran, Sportico.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Some of these signs reference slavery and the successes and failures of the Freedman’s Colony.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026
Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
The foundation said that besides Lee's 911 call, at least four other 911 calls were made by others that day, including from her husband and people who saw parts of the crime unfolding -- but that communication failures and other issues prevented help from being sent.
—David Fischer The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
Over the last year, two corrective action plans were created for caseload failures, late court reports, undocumented visits, and two judicial contempt findings totaling $1,000, the document said.
—Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
But none of these events, which many women faced in Anglo‑Saxon England, were failures or punishments in the ritual.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
There have been, of course, changes along the way, innovations, failures, troubles, new formats, frequency of publication from weekly to monthly, and joys, many of them captured in this issue’s lively conversation among the four principals.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
However, communication failures and other issues prevented help from being sent.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Traditional tampons have vertical channels that can lead to fluid leaks and premature failures.
—Luisa Beltran, Sportico.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Some of these signs reference slavery and the successes and failures of the Freedman’s Colony.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failures
Noun
-
The Wolves snapped a three-game skid — all of those double-digit defeats, including 153-128 at the Clippers on Wednesday — following a five-game winning streak.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Evans’ loss coupled with final four defeats for Oak Ridge, Lake Mary, Lake Howell and Central Florida Christian Academy marks the fourth year in a row in which no Orlando area boys basketball teams captured a state title.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Less than six weeks later, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was removed from her position, likely a result of a chain of PR disasters from DHS.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The deadly bus fire comes two months after one of the worst fire disasters in Switzerland in recent decades.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And the longer the war drags on, the more likely that there will be shortages and price increases on a wide range of goods.—
SAM McNEIL,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the main factors contributing to the extended wait times include staff and bed shortages, hospital flow issues (due to lack of primary care access), and overcrowding that leads to system stress, according to the Canadian Medical Association.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The trouble began in September of last year via the back-to-back bankruptcies of two companies fueled by loads of cheap debt subprime auto lender Tricolor, and car-part-maker First Brands.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
In Pennsylvania, the federation says bankruptcies shot up by 160% in 2025.—
Ross Guidotti,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the Santiago de Cuba province, housing damage was particularly severe, with 95,000 homes affected, 2,300 total collapses, and 6,000 complete roof failures.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Building collapses are common in Nairobi, where housing is in high demand and unscrupulous developers often bypass regulations or simply violate building codes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Previous disappointments aside, the Horns are still breathing.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But since then, Netflix’s projects with the couple have been critical and ratings disappointments, including Harry’s documentary about the lives of wealthy, elite polo players.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As of Wednesday, firearms dealers are required under state law to use scanners that pull the prospective purchaser’s name, date of birth and other details from the card’s magnetic strip, which the new design lacks — except if they are authorized otherwise.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Each provides amino acids that the other lacks, so eating them together gives you all the essential amino acids.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But economic setbacks pale in comparison to tragic loss of life.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
This effort to grow the latest crop large enough to survive and thrive in nature took 10 years with setbacks that nearly derailed everything.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failures. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
