as in fault
a defect in character
we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in crashing
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in collapsing
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disappointing
to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of
although the minor-league franchise continues to fail local fans, hope springs eternal
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in weakening
to lose bodily strength or vigor
ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in forgetting
to miss the opportunity or obligation
failed to mention that he was looking for new job
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dying
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of failing
Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
So [in the film], there’s this sort of notion that, if a movie star kind of represents us in all our failings and humanity, what does that mean exactly?
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2025
Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Scars, Sacrifice, and the Strength to Choose Despite the magic, dragons, and portals, this book is ultimately about people—people trying to do better, people failing and rising again, people who carry scars—inside and out—and still choose to build instead of destroy.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failing
Verb
As was Matthiessen’s self-awareness about his own moral failings.
—Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
So [in the film], there’s this sort of notion that, if a movie star kind of represents us in all our failings and humanity, what does that mean exactly?
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Nonprofit experts and executives have criticized the organization and its board for failing to detect the theft, citing problems, including a bloated board, failure to change auditors, and ex-CFO William Smith's sole control of the organization's checking account.
—Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Scars, Sacrifice, and the Strength to Choose Despite the magic, dragons, and portals, this book is ultimately about people—people trying to do better, people failing and rising again, people who carry scars—inside and out—and still choose to build instead of destroy.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failing
Noun
-
Her trauma is not your fault or responsibility.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
These are real kids, caught in difficult circumstances and are in the foster care system through no fault of their own.—
Laura Rivera,
Denver Post,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
His goal to seal the win against Italy — a lung-busting run and cultured finish in the dying moments — helped to illustrate the impressive engine at the heart of Cremaschi’s game.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Before dying under the weight of the boulder, the spell caster cursed the princess, her family, and the city.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The robotics system will coordinate multiple robotic arms to perform many tasks at once, collapsing what used to be three separate robotic stations into one streamlined workspace that can pick, stow, and consolidate in a single place.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The risk of the roof collapsing prompted the city to take final action against the owner of the former bowling alley.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, the company didn't raise its 2025 forecast, disappointing some investors.—
Seema Mody,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Apple is betting that the new models will bolster demand after disappointing iPad sales in the June quarter.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Washington — The Federal Reserve was already facing one of its most difficult battles, steering a shifting economy through a weakening labor market and stubborn inflation.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Far from expanding opportunity, this excessive wealth locks millions out of the chance to innovate and build, weakening growth for all.—
Scott Ellis,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Their latest controversy comes a day after Bell admitted to forgetting their wedding anniversary on the red carpet.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Oct. 2025
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To be useful, our memories are dynamic rather than static, which is why forgetting is an active process, a feature and not a bug.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While pruning, remove any winter damage, along with dead and declining growths, to allow new shoots to reform the plant.—
Tom MacCubbin,
orlandosentinel.com,
6 Mar. 2021
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In order to reopen, counties must demonstrate declining prevalence of COVID-19, testing ability of 30 tests per 10,000 residents per week, contact tracing and isolation facilities.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
15 May 2020
Noun
-
Los Angeles' bullpen is the team's biggest weakness, and Snell is helping to cover it up by giving the Dodgers longer starts.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, CMT causes a range of sensory and motor symptoms, including numbness, tingling, pain, muscle weakness and atrophy — deterioration in cells, tissues, and organs.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Failing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failing. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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