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.

And, much like improv, bread pudding can absolutely fall flat.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

As Barbara argues, “I also think he has demonstrated a level of ruthlessness and a willingness to file charges, even if he’s got to know they’re going to fall flat eventually.”

From Slate • May 7, 2026

She saw a man fall flat right in front of her.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Anderson is here for the melodrama, the special lessons and the climaxes that fall flat.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Everything so far had been prelude: From what we’d been told, you could be a star at the Academy and then fall flat on your face inside a real prison.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

fall flat

Example Sentences

Related Words