Synonyms of fails

fails

verb

present tense third-person singular of fail

1

as in dies

to stop functioning

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dies
• crashes
• stalls
• breaks
• breaks down
• cuts out
• gives out
• fizzles
• sputters
• conks (out)
• wheezes
• jams
• malfunctions
• acts up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• starts (up)

2

as in collapses

to be unsuccessful

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapses
• misses
• flops
• struggles
• folds
• bombs
• flunks
• declines
• falls short
• strikes out
• tanks
• comes up empty
• falls flat
• lays an egg
• flames out
• crashes
• founders
• comes to grief
• comes a cropper
• washes out
• slips
• dies on the vine
• flounders
• crumbles
• craters
• wanes
• slumps
• falls on one's face
• sinks
• miscarries
• implodes
• skids
• misfires
• goes under
• self-destructs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• succeeds
• goes
• delivers
• works out
• clicks
• goes over
• comes off
• thrives
• flourishes
• prevails
• cooks
• wins
• pans out
• prospers
• triumphs

3

as in disappoints

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

• disappoints
• lets down
• cheats
• dissatisfies
• displeases
• upsets
• distresses
• deceives
• bums (out)
• disenchants
• disillusions
• mocks
• deludes
• discontents
• chagrins
• disgruntles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contents
• satisfies
• fulfills
• gratifies
• gladdens

4

as in weakens

to lose bodily strength or vigor

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakens
• fades
• goes
• sags
• sinks
• deteriorates
• lags
• droops
• languishes
• decays
• wilts
• withers
• wastes (away)
• flags
• emaciates
• wears out
• yields
• breaks down
• rots
• degenerates
• runs down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recovers
• recuperates
• rallies
• rebounds
• gains
• convalesces

5

as in forgets

to miss the opportunity or obligation

failed to mention that he was looking for new job

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forgets
• neglects
• omits
• ignores
• disregards
• misses out on
• defaults
• passes over
• skips
• overlooks
• pretermits
• slides
• slips
• overpasses
• slights

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remembers
• does
• minds
• observes
• keeps
• performs
• practices
• executes
• heeds
• meets
• satisfies
• fulfills
• carries out
• discharges
• complies (with)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fails

When folding goes wrong, the protein often fails. —Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

That’s led to questions about whether the California billionaire activism would continue if Mahan’s governor bid fails and the wealth tax passes. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026

Unfortunately, his leadership fails to produce results. —Leland Dudek, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026

In this episode, Greg and Dylan get it right, but Walt fails to convince Sunny to do the smart thing. —Erin Qualey, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026

Parker fails to prevent the murder of his gentle uncle Ben from being murdered by a burglar, and becomes determined to use the powers bestowed by the spider's bite as a superhero, Spider-Man. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026

In it, the cameraperson lifts a gun in a parking lot and targets Staples, who tries and fails to disarm them, before entering a diner to stage a mass shooting. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 26 Apr. 2026

But critics of this effort say this internal mechanism fails to provide meaningful accountability and would protect wrongdoers from any future state bar investigation. —Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026

This is not a measure with your heart sort of moment, so take the time to do a little research, and if all else fails, turn to the Lowe’s website. —Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026