1
as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action
your failure to check the batteries in the smoke detector could have tragic results
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in defeat
a falling short of one's goals
the failure of the school's fund-raising drive was a big disappointment to all
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disaster
something that has failed
the students' first attempt to build a homemade rocket was a disappointing failure
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
the failure of the potato crop had a devastating effect on the population of Ireland
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in bankruptcy
the inability to pay one's debts
years of prolonged economic depression, when business failures were common
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of failure
But Biden's failure to secure a second term for himself or another Democrat gives more oxygen to Trumpism.
—
Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
During his inauguration speech, Hochman repeated his campaign promises to balance criminal justice reform and public safety and called California’s overpopulation in prisons a systemic failure.
—Koko Nakajima, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
According to Allard, he was issued a misdemeanor summons for failure to obey traffic signal, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and operating without insurance.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 Dec. 2024
While this event has become a source of amusement over time, the circumstances leading to the war and the reasons for its failure highlight the remarkable biology and resilience of these birds and offer insight into human-wildlife conflict.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for failure 
Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
During his inauguration speech, Hochman repeated his campaign promises to balance criminal justice reform and public safety and called California’s overpopulation in prisons a systemic failure.
—Koko Nakajima, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
According to Allard, he was issued a misdemeanor summons for failure to obey traffic signal, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and operating without insurance.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 Dec. 2024
While this event has become a source of amusement over time, the circumstances leading to the war and the reasons for its failure highlight the remarkable biology and resilience of these birds and offer insight into human-wildlife conflict.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for failure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failure
Noun
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Martinez's contract says he can be fired for cause, including incompetence, negligence, fraud and a range of other issues.Carrie Shepherd, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024
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While some firearms might have been lost due to negligence, thousands of firearms reported missing by law enforcement agencies were later discovered to have been improperly sold or traded, the letter said.E.D. Cauchi, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The collapse is a major defeat for Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who had cobbled together a deal to avoid a government shutdown just before the Christmas holiday—only to be undercut at the last minute by the leader of his own party and the world’s richest man.Brian Bennett, TIME, 19 Dec. 2024
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First-year Tulane coach Jon Sumrall doesn’t want to end with three straight defeats, but recognizes the challenge ahead.Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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As climate shocks get worse, insurance companies are increasingly dropping homeowners facing risks of hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters.Mira Rojanasakul, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2024
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The bill would provide $100 billion in funds for cleanup after devastating Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which rocked Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and other Southern states, as well as other disasters.Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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At the end of the day that means more shortages and more outages, and that can contribute to cancellations.Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 20 Dec. 2024
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Yet the economy faces headwinds: a diminished work force, power shortages and a precarious fiscal position with a budget deficit nearing 20% of GDP in 2025.Katya Soldak, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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With the bankruptcy pausing litigation, the ability to get those medical needs addressed is further delayed, Dangaran said.Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024
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That dynamic has proven true for Diamond Sports Group (Bally Sports) and its petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
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After years of neglect, that is seen as another area that needs strengthening in upcoming windows.Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
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January 1, 2024 Israel’s Self-Destruction By Aluf Benn Netanyahu, the Palestinians, and the price of neglect.Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Dec. 2024
Noun
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But throughout this late-season collapse, during which Arizona has lost five of six, the Cardinals have lacked a difference-maker.The Athletic NFL Staff, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
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Keep an eye on the favorable corporate-profit trend Baring a last-second collapse, the stock market will finish 2024 with its second consecutive annual gain of more than 20%.Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
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How much longer will a lack of spending and a corresponding lack of playoff success continue?Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
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For many, this has translated to a lack of use of AI, with 45% of companies saying that their data is not yet ready to support AI.Kimberly A. Whitler, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near failure
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failure. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.
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