as in fault
a defect in character
we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dying
Related Words
1
as in crashing
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
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2
as in collapsing
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
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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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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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5
as in forgetting
to miss the opportunity or obligation
failed to mention that he was looking for new job
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of failing
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
These struggles are shared—they're collective, not a personal failing.
—Danielle Marie Holland, Parents, 29 Dec. 2025
Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Hungary’s critics say Budapest’s position is self-inflicted and a feature of its pro-Kremlin positioning, failing to take steps like European countries in similar situations to diversify its energy.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failing
Noun
His previous complaints are warranted, and Palace’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United on Sunday was another example of the problems caused by a perfect storm of a lack of depth and a relentless schedule denying them an opportunity to rectify familiar failings with work on the training pitch.
—Verb
This final decision, coming from the Titans, ends a largely lackluster run for Diggs in Tennessee, starting just 12 games over the last two seasons and failing to record a single interception.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for failing
Noun
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In the past, American capitalism, despite its many faults, had managed to develop a safety net that compensated a little for its exploitations.—
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Jones added that there are hundreds of faults in Southern California.—
Adjective
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Garden centers aren't giving a refund for a dying or dead plant but rather a discount on a new purchase.—
Verb
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Her vehicle accelerated down the road, crashing into parked cars nearby.—
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The Honda traveled another several feet before crashing into another car.—
Verb
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The soil is collapsing, leaving something resembling large puddles among the freshwater marshes.—
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At the same time, a currency collapsing under international sanctions, water shortages and recurring power outages have sharpened a sense of crisis across the country.—
Verb
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Dependably disappointing Jim Risch, Idaho’s oldest-ever senator, is now eighty-freaking-two!—
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That’s disappointing this year.—
Verb
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Milk, butter and cheese prices on the wholesale market and at grocery stores have decreased slightly due to oversupply and weakening consumer demand.—
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This suggests consumers enter 2026 with continuing concerns over high prices and weakening labor market conditions.—
Verb
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By capturing moments automatically and persistently, Poketomo echoes long-standing dystopian ideas of total recall, where forgetting is no longer natural, and where the past is always available, searchable, and impossible to fully leave behind.—
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The sun's rays dance across the rooftops of a city defined by its historic university and which has, without forgetting its rich past, embraced modernity.—
Noun
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The strengths and weaknesses are always shown in a game like this.—
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According to the Mayo Clinic, CMS is caused by a gene change that results in muscle weakness, which worsens with physical activity.—
Cite this Entry
“Failing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failing. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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