failings

NOUN

lapse, shortcoming

Synonyms

STRONGEST

defect deficiency drawback error failure fault flaw foible frailty imperfection weakness

STRONG

infirmity miscarriage misfortune vice

WEAK

blind spot weak point

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantage benefit perfection strength

WEAK

strong point

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.

Ten years ago, Peter Cipriano, a graduate student at Baruch College, wrote his master’s thesis about one of New York City’s most tortured civic failings: its inability to fix Penn Station.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026

Or is he a scapegoat for the failings of California firefighters?

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

An investigation has uncovered a series of alleged safeguarding failings linked to an east Belfast church where a man with 45 convictions was appointed as a lay pastor.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

President Emmanuel Macron said it was "clear" that there had been failings.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

It was his job to find their failings and remedy them if he could and to replace them if he couldn’t.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown