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Dictionary.com
Definitions

fall flat

VERB
crash
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bump collapse collide ditch dive drop hurtle meet overturn plunge slip smash topple tumble
STRONG
lurch overbalance pancake pitch prang sprawl upset washout
WEAK
bite the dust crash-land drive into fall headlong fall prostrate give way go in plough into splash down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascend rise
VERB
disappoint
Synonyms
STRONGEST
baffle deceive disconcert disenchant dishearten disillusion dissatisfy dumbfound fail hamper mislead
STRONG
abort balk bungle chagrin circumvent dash delude disgruntle embitter foil founder hinder miscarry tease thwart torment vex
WEAK
bring to naught cast down come to nothing dash hopes fall down on fall short of leave in the lurch let down not show put out ruin prospects stand up underwhelm
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist encourage explain help
STRONG
delight forward make happy please succeed
WEAK
excite satisfy
VERB
fail
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 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
flop
Synonyms
STRONGEST
come apart fold misfire
STRONG
bomb close flummox founder miscarry
WEAK
come to nothing fall short wash out
Antonyms
STRONG
succeed
WEAK
accomplish achieve
VERB
miscarry
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abort fall through
STRONG
backslide blunder decline deteriorate fall fizzle flop flounder fold founder misfire miss
WEAK
back wrong horse be defeated be demoted be found lacking be in vain be ruined break down come to naught come to nothing fall short 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 fire miss the boat miss the mark play into run aground turn out badly
Antonyms
STRONG
accomplish achieve ascend build correct develop do well go up improve rise succeed
VERB
misfire
Synonyms
STRONGEST
backfire fizzle flop
STRONG
abort blunder explode flounder miscarry miss slip
WEAK
break down come to nothing fall short fizz out fizzle out go up in smoke go wrong peter out poop out
Antonyms
STRONG
correct do well succeed

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 even when Nebraska did reach the tournament, they found new and creative ways to fall flat on their faces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

The tool has shown promise in preventing excessive flattery, which can fall flat with Gen Z women, Roth said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 22, 2025

Regardless, Shupe maintained those attacks will fall flat.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2025

As long as this public perception remains and compounds with Stake’s already shady reputation, then the brainwashing might fall flat.

From Slate • Nov. 14, 2024

A number of his colleagues quietly waited for the day when he would fall flat on his face by botching something important.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson