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Showing results for fail. Search instead for fal.
Definitions

fail

[feyl] / feɪl /
VERB
be unsuccessful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break down decline fall
STRONG
abort backslide blunder deteriorate fizzle flop flounder fold founder miscarry miss slip
WEAK
back wrong horse be defeated be demoted be found lacking be in vain be ruined come to naught come to nothing fall flat fall short fall through go astray go down go down swinging go downhill go up in smoke go wrong hit bottom hit the skids lose control lose out lose status meet with disaster miss the boat play into run aground turn out badly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascend go up rise
STRONG
accomplish achieve build correct develop do well succeed
WEAK
capture complete deliver earn finish gain merit obtain procure prosper reach win
VERB
abandon, forsake
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ignore neglect
STRONG
abort blink desert disappoint discount disregard fault forget funk miscarry omit overlook slight slip
WEAK
back out break one's word go astray let down overpass
Antonyms
STRONG
attend pay attention regard remember respect
WEAK
accomplish achieve capture complete deliver earn finish gain merit obtain procure prosper reach succeed win
VERB
lose money
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break close drop end finish
STRONG
crash defalcate default dishonor fold overdraw repudiate terminate
WEAK
be cleaned out be in arrears be ruined be taken to the cleaners become insolvent close down close one's doors drop a bundle go bankrupt go belly up go broke go bust go into Chapter 11 go out of business go to the wall go under go up lose big lose one's shirt
Antonyms
STRONGEST
begin commence continue start
WEAK
accomplish achieve capture complete deliver earn gain merit obtain procure prosper reach succeed win

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.

The danger is not only that systems fail, but that failures spread quickly when they do.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

It’s a world in which it is easier to fail than to succeed, a world that a lot of people picking up a paperback for quarter at the drug store would have recognized.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

"AI tools aren't 100% reliable — they can fail in subtle ways and yet operators continue to over-trust them," she told NBC News last month.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

"Within a short period of time, it's going to fail, and we will be there to help it out," he said Sunday.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

Maggie worried, writing Elisha, “all this talk for and against cannot fail to injure you, as well as myself.”

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.