1
as in unsuccessful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inadequate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in died
to stop functioning
my car failed just as I was about to head to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in collapsed
to be unsuccessful
despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disappointed
to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of
although the minor-league franchise continues to fail local fans, hope springs eternal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in weakened
to lose bodily strength or vigor
ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in forgot
to miss the opportunity or obligation
failed to mention that he was looking for new job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of failed
Gonzalo Solano and Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
However, that deal got nixed because the Lakers failed Williams’ physical, creating an awkward situation.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2025
The judge also denied the city’s request for a default judgment after the defendants failed to appear in court.
—Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
But the Dodgers — as has so often been the case over the last couple of weeks — failed to tack on.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
The Biden administration tried and failed to block numerous tech deals, including Meta’s purchase of a small virtual reality start-up, Within.
—David McCabe, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Consider a taxpayer who failed to file an FBAR for a $50,000 Swiss account by April 15, 2018 (for the 2017 tax year), with the automatic extension expiring October 15, 2018.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.d., Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Heck, Sporting failed to even win a single one of its six preseason matches across trips to Miami and California, despite playing a college team and a USL club.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2025
Listen to this article A driver who failed to pull over for a traffic stop led authorities on a pursuit — some times at slow speeds — that lasted more than two hours Sunday as a sheriff’s helicopter followed him through North County.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
González’s defeat marks the third consecutive time that the party of Rafael Correa, the country’s most influential president this century, failed to return to the presidency.
—Gonzalo Solano and Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
However, that deal got nixed because the Lakers failed Williams’ physical, creating an awkward situation.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2025
The judge also denied the city’s request for a default judgment after the defendants failed to appear in court.
—Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
But the Dodgers — as has so often been the case over the last couple of weeks — failed to tack on.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
The Biden administration tried and failed to block numerous tech deals, including Meta’s purchase of a small virtual reality start-up, Within.
—David McCabe, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Consider a taxpayer who failed to file an FBAR for a $50,000 Swiss account by April 15, 2018 (for the 2017 tax year), with the automatic extension expiring October 15, 2018.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.d., Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Heck, Sporting failed to even win a single one of its six preseason matches across trips to Miami and California, despite playing a college team and a USL club.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2025
Listen to this article A driver who failed to pull over for a traffic stop led authorities on a pursuit — some times at slow speeds — that lasted more than two hours Sunday as a sheriff’s helicopter followed him through North County.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failed
Adjective
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Officials said he was found semiconscious on the River Trail on June 30 but resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
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Efforts to refloat the ship during high tide on Thursday were unsuccessful.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Yesterday’s announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
23 May 2025
-
When their work is considered inadequate, a perfectionistic leader’s anger can threaten psychological safety in the workplace.—
Esade Business & Law School,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Further details about the worker who died may be released in due course.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Fewer than 100 members of the military died from COVID-19, according to the Department of Defense.—
Avery Lotz,
Axios,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Ottoman-era homes in the city's old quarter collapsed.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Other homes seemed to be abandoned—partially collapsed and overgrown with weeds.—
Chad Murphy,
The Enquirer,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Those looking for salvation from Beijing are likely to be disappointed.—
Thomas J. Bollyky,
Foreign Affairs,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Others were disappointed on the teen's behalf that her dad didn't step in to support her.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Those at high-risk for listeria infection are newborns, those who are pregnant, have weakened immune systems, and those aged 65 or older.—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
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But the militants, while greatly weakened, have repeatedly regrouped, often after Israeli forces withdraw from areas.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Then, someone forgot the rings.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
People.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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Instead, the stage is dominated by columns with a terra cotta effect, but little else; the world Othello and Iago inhabits seems less drained of color than awaiting it, as if Leon forgot to put it there in the first place.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Here are the twenty-two films of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival competition, ranked in descending order, from greatest to most disappointing: 1.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
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But the visiting New England Revolution found an equalizer and the match ended 3-3, a disappointing end to an evening filled with plenty of focus on what happened earlier in the week: the death of former KC player Gadi Kinda at 31.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Failed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failed. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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