Synonyms of fail

fail

verb

ˈfāl 

1

as in to die

to stop functioning

my car failed just as I was about to head to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• die
• crash
• stall
• break
• cut out
• give out
• break down
• sputter
• conk (out)
• fizzle
• malfunction
• act up
• jam
• wheeze

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• start (up)

2

as in to collapse

to be unsuccessful

despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapse
• miss
• flop
• struggle
• fold
• flunk
• bomb
• strike out
• fall short
• tank
• come up empty
• fall flat
• decline
• come to grief
• flame out
• wash out
• lay an egg
• die on the vine
• founder
• crash
• come a cropper
• slip
• crumble
• crater
• flounder
• fall on one's face
• wane
• sink
• slump
• miscarry
• implode
• skid
• misfire
• go under
• self-destruct

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• succeed
• go
• deliver
• click
• work out
• go over
• come off
• thrive
• prosper
• flourish
• cook
• win
• prevail
• pan out
• triumph

3

as in to disappoint

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

• disappoint
• let down
• cheat
• displease
• upset
• dissatisfy
• distress
• bum (out)
• deceive
• disillusion
• delude
• disenchant
• mock
• discontent
• chagrin
• disgruntle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfy
• fulfill
• gratify
• content
• gladden

4

as in to weaken

to lose bodily strength or vigor

ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weaken
• fade
• go
• sag
• sink
• deteriorate
• wilt
• languish
• droop
• wither
• decay
• waste (away)
• lag
• flag
• emaciate
• wear out
• yield
• break down
• rot
• degenerate
• run down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recover
• rally
• recuperate
• rebound
• gain
• convalesce

5

as in to forget

to miss the opportunity or obligation

failed to mention that he was looking for new job

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forget
• neglect
• omit
• ignore
• miss out on
• disregard
• pass over
• overlook
• skip
• slight
• slide
• pretermit
• default
• slip
• overpass

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remember
• do
• keep
• observe
• mind
• perform
• execute
• meet
• carry out
• heed
• practice
• satisfy
• fulfill
• comply (with)
• discharge

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fail

The reactor had failed to properly shut down. —Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026

The Powell probe failed to gain any traction as prosecutors struggled to articulate a basis to suspect criminal conduct against Powell or anyone else. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026

At City Hall, Witzburg's team pressed Mayor Brandon Johnson to fire a top advisor for failing to cooperate with a misconduct probe – which the mayor refused to do – and urged him to make public a gift room her investigators were denied access to, which Johnson agreed to do. —Chris Tye, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

However, the show failed to make the top 10 again save for one more week during Season 2. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026