sinking ship

NOUN

failure

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bankruptcy breakdown collapse decline defeat deficiency deterioration failing loss misstep

STRONG

abortion bomb botch bungle bust checkmate decay deficit downfall fiasco flop frustration implosion inadequacy lemon loser mess misadventure miscarriage nonperformance overthrow rout rupture stalemate stoppage turkey washout wreck

WEAK

false step faux pas flash in the pan lead balloon nonsuccess total loss

Antonyms

STRONGEST

betterment improvement increase rise success win

STRONG

accomplishment benefit blessing continuation enough plenty triumph

WEAK

achievement achiever attainment earnings gain merit

NOUN

insolvency

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bankruptcy breakdown deterioration implosion inadequacy rupture

STRONG

bomb botch bungle bust checkmate collapse decay decline defeat deficiency deficit downfall failing fiasco flop frustration lemon loser loss mess misadventure miscarriage misstep nonperformance overthrow rout stalemate stoppage turkey washout wreck

WEAK

false step faux pas flash in the pan lead balloon nonsuccess total loss

Antonyms

STRONG

accomplishment achievement advantage ascent benefit blessing continuation enough improvement increase plenty rise strength success triumph win

NOUN

nonfeasance

Synonyms

STRONG

abortion bankruptcy bomb botch breakdown bungle bust checkmate collapse decay decline default defeat deficiency deficit delinquency dereliction deterioration downfall failing fiasco flop frustration implosion inadequacy lemon loser loss mess misadventure miscarriage misstep neglect nonperformance omission overthrow rout rupture stalemate stoppage turkey washout wreck

WEAK

false step faux pas flash in the pan lead balloon nonsuccess total loss

Antonyms

STRONG

accomplishment achievement adequacy advantage ascent benefit betterment blessing continuation development enough improvement increase perfection plenty rise satisfaction strength success sufficiency triumph win

NOUN

unsuccess

Synonyms

WEAK

abortion bankruptcy bomb botch breakdown bungle bust checkmate collapse decay decline defeat deficiency deficit deterioration downfall failing false step faux pas fiasco flash in the pan flop frustration implosion inadequacy lead balloon lemon loser loss mess misadventure miscarriage misstep nonperformance nonsuccess overthrow rout rupture stalemate stoppage total loss turkey unsuccessfulness washout wreck

NOUN

unsuccessfulness

Synonyms

WEAK

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.

Carlson can sense a sinking ship, and he is jumping into a life raft.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2026

After five consecutive losses, several weeks of mounting frustration, and the most painful collapse imaginable the night before, the Dodgers took a crucial first step toward righting their sinking ship on Sunday.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 7, 2025

Volunteers currently remove more than 1,500kg of rubbish a year from Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, and have compared it to bailing water from a "sinking ship".

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2025

Who buys a ticket to get on a sinking ship?

From Seattle Times • May 11, 2024

Had the Watermelon Feed been held inside the county jail, or on a sinking ship, or on the side of a craggy mountain, they would still have flocked to attend.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

sinking ship

Example Sentences

Related Words