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Showing results for fall short. Search instead for falls short.

fall short

ADJECTIVE
go without
Synonyms
WEAK
abstain be deprived of do without go short lack need want
Antonyms
WEAK
earn get indulge take use
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 flat 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 fall flat fold misfire
STRONG
bomb close flummox founder miscarry
WEAK
come to nothing wash out
Antonyms
STRONG
succeed
WEAK
accomplish achieve
VERB
let down
Synonyms
WEAK
abandon depress disenchant disillusion dissatisfy fail leave in lurch leave stranded lower pull down take down underwhelm
Antonyms
WEAK
benefit satisfy
VERB
lose
Synonyms
STRONGEST
drop fail forget give up squander suffer surrender waste
STRONG
bereave capitulate consume default deplete disinherit displace dispossess dissipate divest drain exhaust expend forfeit lavish misplace miss misspend oust relinquish rob sacrifice yield
WEAK
be careless be impoverished be reduced become poorer fail to keep pass up suffer loss use up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fight hoard save win
STRONG
accumulate collect fill gather give hold keep refuse starve take
WEAK
achieve confront face hold on to maintain meet succeed
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 flat 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 fall flat fizzle flop
STRONG
abort blunder explode flounder miscarry miss slip
WEAK
break down come to nothing fizz out fizzle out go up in smoke go wrong peter out poop out
Antonyms
STRONG
correct do well succeed
VERB
miss
Synonyms
STRONG
blow blunder botch disregard drop err flub forget fumble ignore juggle lose miscarry misfire mislay misplace muff neglect omit overlook overshoot skip slight slip trip undershoot
WEAK
be late for drop the ball fall flat on face let go let slip pass over pass up trip up
Antonyms
STRONG
accomplish achieve attend correct do do well face find fix heed keep look at meet note notice pay attention regard remember respect succeed
VERB
shrink
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decrease diminish drop off dwindle fall off lessen narrow reduce shorten shrivel wane weaken wither
STRONG
compress concentrate condense constrict contract deflate fail waste wrinkle
WEAK
grow smaller waste away
Antonyms
STRONGEST
develop enlarge expand extend grow increase lengthen raise rise strengthen
STRONG
blow up loosen stretch
WEAK
face meet take on
VERB
wane
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abate atrophy decrease die down die out dim dwindle ebb fade peter out shrink slacken subside taper off weaken wither
STRONG
decline drop fail fall moderate relent sink
WEAK
die away draw to a close ease off fade away let up slack off waste away wind down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
brighten develop enhance enlarge expand extend grow increase rise strengthen
STRONG
ascend go up reach win
WEAK
raise

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.

“This has given me a deeper understanding of both the challenges individuals and families face and the ways in which the system can fall short in addressing those needs,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

The central bank said ahead its May outlook revision that it expects growth to fall short of its February forecast of 2.0% this year, while inflation could exceed its earlier estimate of 2.2%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Arteta and Arsenal must dismiss the growing noise, the noise around them now and the noise that will accompany them if they fall short.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

Koch's talk focuses on three major areas where current explanations fall short.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

He was so content in this country, so impressed with and loving of its opportunities, but then why, sometimes, did Americans fall short of their best selves?

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers