fail-safe

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Those recorded cues act as a fail-safe against technical malfunctions during the broadcast, though the orchestra aims to play everything live.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

As a key oil producer, Saudi Arabia is relied upon to surge output and stabilize markets during crises, but any physical degradation of its export capacity neuters this critical fail-safe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

Congress created the Insurrection Act as a fail-safe in response to armed mobs attacking their neighbors and organized militias seeking to overthrow elected officials.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2025

There was a fail-safe command that would temporarily render Ellie incapable of making decisions.

From Slate • Jan. 27, 2024

But Seabiscuit was a fail-safe moneymaker, drawing record crowds and wagering virtually everywhere he showed his face.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand