failures

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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

“We should care about this because societies where people feel lonely and isolated — those are societal failures that are up to all of us to address.”

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026

“We went from kids being total failures to a roaring success,” David Sorbaro said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026

Following Brain's convictions three decades later, the Diocese of Sheffield struck a very different tone, announcing an independent safeguarding review into "institutional failures".

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

In a report following the first phase of the inquiry, chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick condemned LFB's "serious shortcomings" and systemic failures in its response to the fire.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

Nothing is more usual than to feel that others have shared in our failures, just as it is an ordinary reaction to forget those who have shared in our achievements.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote