Showing results for fail. Search instead for fyl.

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.

But a steel structure doesn’t need to melt to fail; it just needs to be sufficiently weakened.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

"But they can fail to find what symptoms patients are most concerned about; even though social media is not necessarily representative, a large collection of posts may reflect additional concerns."

From Science Daily • May 24, 2026

A leaking chemical tank at GKN Aerospace is going to fail or explode in an “unprecedented” event that triggered evacuation orders on Friday for thousands of Orange County residents.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

If shipowners fail to act, responsibility can then fall to the vessel's flag state and, ultimately, port authorities.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

The paper was frayed and nearly falling apart because every night, without fail, Pili would read to her little brother.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

fail

Example Sentences

Related Words