1
as in unsuccessful
Related Words
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in inadequate
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Steve Large, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
DeSantis had backed a failed bill that also sought to require health care practitioners who administer vaccines to offer parents an alternative vaccine schedule and to provide parents with information about the benefits and risks at the time of vaccination.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Skiboky Stora, 42, who has mounted numerous failed campaigns for mayor and governor, was sentenced by Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Josh Hanshaft.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
Steve Cohen can afford failed gambles, but the Mets can’t afford much else going wrong.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026
The blockade follows failed ceasefire talks over Iran’s nuclear program, with the current truce expiring April 22 and no clear path to resuming negotiations.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Vance talked about the Hungarian battle against Soviet rule, including the failed, bloody revolution of 1956.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026
Gonzalez ultimately nominated Henyard to fill the supervisor position in 2022, after five failed votes by trustees to find a replacement as a midnight deadline neared to avoid a town hall meeting.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
In 2024, North Korea claimed to have successfully testlaunched a multiwarhead missile, but South Korea quickly dismissed it as deception to cover up a failed launch.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2026
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
In 2013, Hall tried (and failed) to replicate the previous magic and his show was cancelled after one season, many blaming tougher competition than before.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Defense attorney Lauren Rosen argued that prosecutors failed to present any evidence tying Sharifullah to the bombing besides his own words during hours of FBI questioning.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Along those similar lines, the governor failed to establish realistic expectations for the public.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026
But efforts to enshrine such protections into state law failed under the Gold Dome earlier this year.
—Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
And despite being required to register for life, Scott has repeatedly failed to comply.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Though most working-age Americans get health insurance through their jobs, millions who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace are paying sharply higher costs because Congress failed to extend enhanced tax credits.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
While Rosenior would have been expected to coax better performances from those available, Chelsea’s attackers have failed to step up.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Besides Senator Niello's failed bill, there are several other proposals still alive seeking to revamp the elderly parole program.
—Steve Large, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
DeSantis had backed a failed bill that also sought to require health care practitioners who administer vaccines to offer parents an alternative vaccine schedule and to provide parents with information about the benefits and risks at the time of vaccination.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Skiboky Stora, 42, who has mounted numerous failed campaigns for mayor and governor, was sentenced by Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Josh Hanshaft.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
Steve Cohen can afford failed gambles, but the Mets can’t afford much else going wrong.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026
The blockade follows failed ceasefire talks over Iran’s nuclear program, with the current truce expiring April 22 and no clear path to resuming negotiations.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Vance talked about the Hungarian battle against Soviet rule, including the failed, bloody revolution of 1956.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026
Gonzalez ultimately nominated Henyard to fill the supervisor position in 2022, after five failed votes by trustees to find a replacement as a midnight deadline neared to avoid a town hall meeting.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
In 2024, North Korea claimed to have successfully testlaunched a multiwarhead missile, but South Korea quickly dismissed it as deception to cover up a failed launch.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
The show focuses on how the Metropolitan Police failed to thoroughly investigate two women’s allegations, which left Worboys free to commit assaults undetected for many years.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
In 2013, Hall tried (and failed) to replicate the previous magic and his show was cancelled after one season, many blaming tougher competition than before.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Defense attorney Lauren Rosen argued that prosecutors failed to present any evidence tying Sharifullah to the bombing besides his own words during hours of FBI questioning.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Along those similar lines, the governor failed to establish realistic expectations for the public.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026
But efforts to enshrine such protections into state law failed under the Gold Dome earlier this year.
—Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
And despite being required to register for life, Scott has repeatedly failed to comply.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Though most working-age Americans get health insurance through their jobs, millions who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace are paying sharply higher costs because Congress failed to extend enhanced tax credits.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
While Rosenior would have been expected to coax better performances from those available, Chelsea’s attackers have failed to step up.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failed
Adjective
-
The mammal’s health deteriorated as it became repeatedly stranded in shallow waters, and unsuccessful efforts to coax it toward deeper seas were livestreamed across the globe.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The child was taken to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Azle, where additional lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful, the sheriff's office said.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Current funding levels are inadequate and prevent the critical expansion needed to close that child care gap.—
Pamela Campos,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The father of a Deer Path Middle School student said his sixth-grade son was attacked by other students earlier this month and is criticizing Lake Forest District 67’s initial response as inadequate.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Agustín, an elderly man who lived on the streets and had mental health problems, died in February from burns inflicted by an 18-year-old who was later arrested.—
Sarah Moreno
Updated April 29,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
After Michael died in 2009, his three children — Prince, Paris and Bigi Jackson — moved to Hayvenhurst to be raised by their grandmother, Katherine.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The brief, failed ouster of Altman in 2023 almost collapsed the ChatGPT maker, with investors pressing the board to bring back Altman and employees pledging to quit en masse if the CEO wasn’t reinstated.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Over the past 50 years, the average size of wildlife populations has collapsed by 73% owing to nature loss and climate change.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While the rest of the players were disappointed with the result, shaking hands and discussing what went wrong, Struijk could no doubt feel the loss heaviest on his shoulders.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
And you won’t be disappointed by the blooms.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This has been a story of unforeseen incidents, such as the unnoticed approach of the storm and the capsizing in front of high cliffs that prevented us from swimming ashore before the cold water had weakened us.—
Jim Hoagland,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
-
For Caracas, the engagement offers a chance to attract foreign capital and revive industries weakened by years of mismanagement and sanctions.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s a campus care closet, so students with food insecurity or who maybe just forgot to bring a lunch that day can discreetly get something to eat.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
At one point, Nikola Jokic forgot.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.—
Noah Alcala Bach,
San Antonio Express-News,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Failed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failed. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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