failures

Jump To:

lack of success n.
person who does not succeed n.

NOUN

lack of success

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bankruptcy breakdown collapse decline defeat deficiency deterioration failing loss misstep

STRONG

abortion bomb botch bungle bust checkmate decay deficit downfall fiasco flop frustration implosion inadequacy lemon loser mess misadventure miscarriage nonperformance overthrow rout rupture stalemate stoppage turkey washout wreck

WEAK

false step faux pas flash in the pan lead balloon nonsuccess sinking ship total loss

Antonyms

STRONGEST

betterment improvement increase rise success win

STRONG

accomplishment benefit blessing continuation enough plenty triumph

WEAK

achievement achiever attainment earnings gain merit

NOUN

person who does not succeed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

disappointment

STRONG

also-ran bankrupt beat bum castaway deadbeat defaulter derelict dud flop good-for-nothing has-been incompetent insolvent loafer loser might-have-been moocher nobody prodigal turkey underachiever washout

WEAK

born loser lumpy no-good nonperformer

Antonyms

STRONG

hard worker success

WEAK

accomplishment achievement achiever attainment earnings gain merit 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.

See Examples For:

failures

In the fall of 2022, Ukrainian forces complained of widespread Starlink connection failures in southern and eastern Ukraine, which hindered their counteroffensives to take back Russian-occupied territory.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

As for intelligence failures on Saturday, President Macron has demanded explanations and a new policing strategy.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

Electrical surges caused equipment failures, sent sparks flying from wires, shocked operators, and even started fires.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2026

French President Emmanuel Macron refused Nunez's resignation, even as he acknowledged security and intelligence failures in the government response, despite the deployment of some 60,000 law enforcement personnel across the country on Saturday.

From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026

Remember that in science we learn as much from failures as we do from successes.

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word