This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn more

Fail synonyms

Sorting by
Votes
miscarry
To fail to achieve some purpose; to be unsuccessful, to go wrong (of a business, project etc.). [from 16th c.]
1
0
  1. To fail to achieve some purpose; to be unsuccessful, to go wrong (of a business, project etc.). [from 16th c.]
  2. To fail to attain an intended goal, as a plan or project.
  3. To go wrong; fail: said of a plan, project, etc.
bust
To cause to become bankrupt or short of money:
1
0
  1. To cause to become bankrupt or short of money:
  2. To break or tame (a horse).
  3. To cause to come to an end; break up:
fall-short
(Idiomatic) to be less satisfactory than expected; to be inadequate or insufficient
0
0
  1. (Idiomatic) to be less satisfactory than expected; to be inadequate or insufficient
miss
To feel or regret the absence or loss of
0
0
  1. To feel or regret the absence or loss of
  2. To discover the absence or loss of:
  3. To notice the absence or loss of
slip
To become worse; lose strength, ability, mental keenness, etc.
0
1
  1. To become worse; lose strength, ability, mental keenness, etc.
  2. To slide accidentally on a slippery surface, lose footing, etc.
  3. To slide involuntarily and lose one's balance or foothold.
lose
To fail to use or take advantage of:
0
0
  1. To fail to use or take advantage of:
  2. To cause the loss of
  3. To suffer loss:
come-to-nothing
(Idiomatic) To fail completely; to have no result.
0
0
  1. (Idiomatic) To fail completely; to have no result.
falter
To say hesitantly or timidly
0
0
  1. To say hesitantly or timidly
  2. To lose strength, certainty, etc.; weaken
  3. To be unsteady in purpose or action, as from loss of courage or confidence; waver:
flounder
1996, Janette Turner Hospital, Oyster, Virago Press, paperback edition, page 136
0
0
  1. 1996, Janette Turner Hospital, Oyster, Virago Press, paperback edition, page 136
  2. To move clumsily or with little progress, as through water or mud.
  3. (Intransitive) To act clumsily or confused; to struggle or be flustered.
blunder
To utter (something) stupidly or thoughtlessly.
0
0
  1. To utter (something) stupidly or thoughtlessly.
  2. To move clumsily or carelessly; flounder; stumble
  3. To say stupidly, clumsily, or confusedly; blurt
break down
(Intransitive) to fail, to cease to function
0
0
  1. (Intransitive) to fail, to cease to function
  2. (Ergative, figuratively) to divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of
  3. (Ergative, figuratively) to render or to become unstable due to stress, to collapse physically or mentally
break
To become unusable or inoperative; go out of order
0
0
  1. To become unusable or inoperative; go out of order
  2. To fail to conform to; violate:
  3. To cause to give up a habit:
run-aground
(Intransitive) For a vessel to be immobilized by water too shallow to allow it to float.
0
0
  1. (Intransitive) For a vessel to be immobilized by water too shallow to allow it to float.
  2. To cause a vessel to run aground.
founder
To stumble, fall, or go lame
0
0
  1. To stumble, fall, or go lame
  2. To stumble, especially to stumble and go lame. Used of horses.
  3. To break down; fail
misfire
To fail to achieve a desired effect
0
0
  1. To fail to achieve a desired effect
  2. To fail to ignite properly or at the right time
  3. To fail to go off, or be discharged
come-to-grief
(Idiomatic) To have a disastrous outcome.
0
0
  1. (Idiomatic) To have a disastrous outcome.
lose-ground
(Idiomatic) to become closer to another traveling the same course.
0
0
  1. (Idiomatic) to become closer to another traveling the same course.
abort
To stop the progress of (a disease, for example).
0
0
  1. To stop the progress of (a disease, for example).
  2. To give birth before the embryo or fetus is viable; have a miscarriage
  3. (Biol.) To fail to develop; stay rudimentary
neglect
To pay little or no attention to; fail to heed; disregard:
0
0
  1. To pay little or no attention to; fail to heed; disregard:
  2. To fail to do or carry out, as through carelessness or oversight:
  3. To fail to carry out (an expected or required action) through carelessness or by intention; leave undone
backslide
To regress; to slip backwards or revert to a previous, worse state.
0
0
  1. To regress; to slip backwards or revert to a previous, worse state.
  2. To slide backward in morals or religious enthusiasm; become less virtuous, less pious, etc.
  3. To revert to bad habits or lapse in religious practice.
go under
(Idiomatic) to be named, to call oneself
0
0
  1. (Idiomatic) to be named, to call oneself
  2. To descend into a body of water
  3. (Idiomatic) to go bankrupt, to collapse
go-wrong
(Intransitive, idiomatic) To malfunction.
0
0
  1. (Intransitive, idiomatic) To malfunction.
  2. (Intransitive, idiomatic) to become depraved
  3. (Intransitive, idiomatic) To fail or go amiss; to have a bad outcome.
flop
In certain poker games, to have attained (a hand) as a result of the first three community cards that are dealt face up at the same time:
0
0
  1. In certain poker games, to have attained (a hand) as a result of the first three community cards that are dealt face up at the same time:
  2. To go to bed.
  3. (Photoengraving) To turn (a film negative) face down before exposure to a metal plate, in order to create a desired mirror image
bomb
To attack, damage, or destroy with a bomb or bombs
0
0
  1. To attack, damage, or destroy with a bomb or bombs
  2. (Informal) To be a complete failure
  3. To drop a bomb or bombs.
flunk
To fail (a drug test, as for a performance enhancing substance).
0
0
  1. To fail (a drug test, as for a performance enhancing substance).
  2. To fail, especially in a course or an examination.
  3. To give a mark of failure to (a student)
miss-the-boat
(Idiomatic) To fail to take advantage of an opportunity; to overlook or be too late to pursue an option or course of action.
0
0
  1. (Idiomatic) To fail to take advantage of an opportunity; to overlook or be too late to pursue an option or course of action.
fizzle-out
To lose excitement, to become less exciting.
0
0
  1. To lose excitement, to become less exciting.
go-down-the-tubes
(Idiomatic, US) To fail or degenerate rapidly.
0
0
  1. (Idiomatic, US) To fail or degenerate rapidly.
draw-a-blank
(Idiomatic) To be unable to produce a required piece of information.
0
0
  1. (Idiomatic) To be unable to produce a required piece of information.
flunk-out
(Idiomatic) To fail to finish school, or a given subject or course, due to academic shortcomings; i.e., to have too many flunking or failing grades (marks).
0
0
  1. (Idiomatic) To fail to finish school, or a given subject or course, due to academic shortcomings; i.e., to have too many flunking or failing grades (marks).
  2. (Idiomatic) (of an educator or institution) To impose failing grades on (a student), often requiring a retaking of the course or academic year.
wash out
(Idiomatic) To cancel due to bad weather.
0
0
  1. (Idiomatic) To cancel due to bad weather.
  2. To remove something by washing.
  3. (Idiomatic) To lose traction while going around a turn, especially in cycling, motorsports and skiing/snowboarding.
let down
Used other than as an idiom: see let,"Ž down.
0
0
  1. Used other than as an idiom: see let,"Ž down.
  2. To allow to descend.
  3. (Idiomatic) To disappoint; to betray or fail somebody
desert
To forsake (someone or something that one ought not to leave); abandon
0
0
  1. To forsake (someone or something that one ought not to leave); abandon
  2. To forsake one's duty or post, especially to be absent without leave from the armed forces with no intention of returning.
  3. To leave empty or alone; abandon.
leave
To give or deposit, as for use or information, upon one's departure or in one's absence:
0
0
  1. To give or deposit, as for use or information, upon one's departure or in one's absence:
  2. To abandon or forsake:
  3. To set out or depart; go:
displease
To make not pleased; to excite a feeling of disapprobation or dislike in; to be disagreeable to; to offend; to vex; -- often followed by with or at. It usually expresses less than to anger, vex, irritate, or provoke.
0
0
  1. To make not pleased; to excite a feeling of disapprobation or dislike in; to be disagreeable to; to offend; to vex; -- often followed by with or at. It usually expresses less than to anger, vex, irritate, or provoke.
  2. To fail to satisfy; to miss of.
  3. To give displeasure or offense.
decline
To draw to a gradual close:
0
0
  1. To draw to a gradual close:
  2. To cause to bend or slope downward or aside
  3. To degrade or lower oneself; stoop:
lessen
(Archaic) To belittle; minimize; disparage
0
0
  1. (Archaic) To belittle; minimize; disparage
  2. To make less; to diminish; to reduce.
  3. To become less; decrease:
worsen
To make or become worse
0
0
  1. To make or become worse
  2. (Intransitive) To become worse; to get worse; to deteriorate.
sink
To cause to submerge or go beneath the surface
0
0
  1. To cause to submerge or go beneath the surface
  2. To cause to penetrate or become absorbed
  3. To cause to descend beneath the surface or to the bottom of a liquid:
default
The failure to perform a legal or contractual requirement, such as the payment of a debt by the due date.
0
0
  1. The failure to perform a legal or contractual requirement, such as the payment of a debt by the due date.
  2. (Informal) To turn or proceed to a particular choice or option automatically or routinely
  3. (Computers) To revert to a default.
overdraw
To draw on in excess of the amount credited to the drawer
0
0
  1. To draw on in excess of the amount credited to the drawer
  2. To spoil the effect of by exaggeration in telling or describing.
  3. To pull back too far:
go under
(Idiomatic) to be named, to call oneself
0
0
  1. (Idiomatic) to be named, to call oneself
  2. To descend into a body of water
  3. (Idiomatic) to go bankrupt, to collapse
dishonor
To bring shame or discredit upon; disgrace
0
0
  1. To bring shame or discredit upon; disgrace
  2. To refuse or fail to pay (a check, draft, bill of exchange, etc.)
  3. To refuse to pay a claim embodied in a written document, such as a check or other negotiable instrument, when presented; to treat disrespectfully an object considered to have a public or sacred nature, such as a flag. To refuse to pay a claim embodied in a written document, such as a check or other negotiable instrument, when presented; to treat disrespectfully an object considered to have a public or sacred nature, such as a flag.
repudiate
To refuse to accept or support; deny the validity or authority of (a belief, a treaty, etc.)
0
0
  1. To refuse to accept or support; deny the validity or authority of (a belief, a treaty, etc.)
  2. To deny the truth of (a charge, etc.)
  3. To disown (a child, for example).
collapse
To fold compactly:
0
0
  1. To fold compactly:
  2. To cause to fold, break down, or fall down or inward.
  3. To fall down or fall to pieces, as when supports or sides fail to hold; cave in; shrink together suddenly
fold
To bend over or double up so that one part lies on another part:
0
0
  1. To bend over or double up so that one part lies on another part:
  2. To bring from an extended to a closed position:
  3. To bend (any thin material, such as paper) over so that it comes in contact with itself.
throw-in-the-sponge
Alternative form of throw in the towel.
0
0
  1. Alternative form of throw in the towel.
crash
To fall, collide, or break with force and with a loud, smashing noise
0
0
  1. To fall, collide, or break with force and with a loud, smashing noise
  2. (Informal) To join or enter (a party, for example) without invitation.
  3. To break violently or noisily; smash:
go-down-the-tubes
(Idiomatic, US) To fail or degenerate rapidly.
0
0
  1. (Idiomatic, US) To fail or degenerate rapidly.
lose-one-s-shirt
(Idiomatic) To lose all of one's money; to go broke; to undergo financial ruin or disaster.
0
0
  1. (Idiomatic) To lose all of one's money; to go broke; to undergo financial ruin or disaster.
dismiss
(Law) To adjudicate (a cause of action) as insufficient to proceed further in court because of some deficiency in law or fact.
0
0
  1. (Law) To adjudicate (a cause of action) as insufficient to proceed further in court because of some deficiency in law or fact.
  2. To refuse to accept or recognize; reject:
  3. To direct or allow to leave:
suspend
To cause to stop for a period; interrupt:
0
0
  1. To cause to stop for a period; interrupt:
  2. To hold in abeyance; defer:
  3. To render temporarily ineffective:
flunk
To fail (a drug test, as for a performance enhancing substance).
0
0
  1. To fail (a drug test, as for a performance enhancing substance).
  2. To fail, especially in a course or an examination.
  3. To give a mark of failure to (a student)
run out
(Intransitive, idiomatic) To use up; to consume all of something.
0
0
  1. (Intransitive, idiomatic) To use up; to consume all of something.
  2. To extend a piece of material, or clothing.
  3. (Intransitive) To conclude in, to end up
choke
To obstruct by filling up or clogging any passage; to block up.
0
0
  1. To obstruct by filling up or clogging any passage; to block up.
  2. To become strained with emotion
  3. (Intransitive) To perform badly at a crucial stage of a competition because one is nervous, especially when one is winning.
flunk
To fail (a drug test, as for a performance enhancing substance).
0
0
  1. To fail (a drug test, as for a performance enhancing substance).
  2. To give a mark of failure to (a student)
  3. To fail (an examination or course).
default
To fail to do what is required.
0
0
  1. To fail to do what is required.
  2. The failure to perform a legal or contractual requirement, such as the payment of a debt by the due date.
  3. (Computers) To revert to a default.
neglect
To pay little or no attention to; fail to heed; disregard:
0
0
  1. To pay little or no attention to; fail to heed; disregard:
  2. To fail to do or carry out, as through carelessness or oversight:
  3. To fail to carry out (an expected or required action) through carelessness or by intention; leave undone
omit
To fail to include or mention; leave out:
0
0
  1. To fail to include or mention; leave out:
  2. To fail to include; leave out
  3. To fail to do; neglect
decline
To degrade or lower oneself; stoop:
0
0
  1. To degrade or lower oneself; stoop:
  2. To bend, turn, or slope downward or aside
  3. To draw to a gradual close:
degenerate
To decline in quality:
0
0
  1. To decline in quality:
  2. To fall below a normal or desirable state, especially functionally or morally; deteriorate:
  3. To decline or become debased morally, culturally, etc.
deteriorate
To weaken or disintegrate; decay:
0
0
  1. To weaken or disintegrate; decay:
  2. To grow worse; degenerate:
  3. To diminish or impair in quality, character, or value:
fade
(Sports) To swerve from a straight course, especially in the direction of a slice.
0
0
  1. (Sports) To swerve from a straight course, especially in the direction of a slice.
  2. To become less distinct; lose color, brilliance, etc.
  3. (Football) To move back from the line of scrimmage. Used of a quarterback.
flag
To signal with or as if with a flag.
0
0
  1. To signal with or as if with a flag.
  2. To hang loose without stiffness; to bend down, as flexible bodies; to be loose, yielding, limp.
  3. To signal with or as with a flag; esp., to signal (the driver of a vehicle) to stop
languish
To live under distressing conditions; continue in a state of suffering
0
0
  1. To live under distressing conditions; continue in a state of suffering
  2. To become downcast or pine away in longing:
  3. To be or become weak or feeble; lose strength or vigor:
sink
To become lower in value or amount; lessen, as prices, funds, etc.
0
0
  1. To become lower in value or amount; lessen, as prices, funds, etc.
  2. To invest or spend, often without getting a return or adequate value:
  3. To fall or drop to a lower level, especially to go down slowly or in stages:
wane
To decline in power, importance, prosperity, influence, etc.
0
0
  1. To decline in power, importance, prosperity, influence, etc.
  2. To decrease gradually in size, number, strength, or intensity:
  3. To become less intense, bright, strong, etc.; grow dim or faint, as a light
waste
To fail to take proper advantage of
0
0
  1. To fail to take proper advantage of
  2. To pass without being put to use:
  3. To use, consume, spend, or expend thoughtlessly or carelessly.
weaken
To make or become weak or weaker
0
0
  1. To make or become weak or weaker
  2. (Intransitive) To become weaker.
break down
(Ergative, figuratively) to divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of
0
0
  1. (Ergative, figuratively) to divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of
  2. (Ergative) to digest
  3. (Ergative, figuratively) to render or to become unstable due to stress, to collapse physically or mentally
break
To cause to give up a habit:
0
0
  1. To cause to give up a habit:
  2. To exchange for smaller monetary units:
  3. To fail to conform to; violate:
ruin
To deflower or seduce (a woman) and, often, specif., thereby render her unmarriageable, disgraced, etc.
0
0
  1. To deflower or seduce (a woman) and, often, specif., thereby render her unmarriageable, disgraced, etc.
  2. To bring or reduce to ruin
  3. (Archaic) To go or come to ruin
bust
(Informal) To smash or break, especially forcefully:
0
0
  1. (Informal) To smash or break, especially forcefully:
  2. To cause to come to an end; break up:
  3. To burst or break
break
To lessen the force or effect of:
0
0
  1. To lessen the force or effect of:
  2. To fail to conform to; violate:
  3. To exchange for smaller monetary units:
bust
(Informal) To smash or break, especially forcefully:
0
0
  1. (Informal) To smash or break, especially forcefully:
  2. To cause to come to an end; break up:
  3. To burst or break
collapse
To fall down or fall to pieces, as when supports or sides fail to hold; cave in; shrink together suddenly
0
0
  1. To fall down or fall to pieces, as when supports or sides fail to hold; cave in; shrink together suddenly
  2. To break down suddenly; fail; give way
  3. To cause to fold, break down, or fall down or inward.
crash
(Informal) To get into (a party, theater, etc.) without an invitation, ticket, etc.
0
0
  1. (Informal) To get into (a party, theater, etc.) without an invitation, ticket, etc.
  2. To fall, collide, or break with force and with a loud, smashing noise
  3. To break or dash into pieces; smash; shatter
go under
(Idiomatic) to be named, to call oneself
0
0
  1. (Idiomatic) to be named, to call oneself
  2. To descend into a body of water
  3. (Idiomatic) to go bankrupt, to collapse
fold
(Informal) To give in; buckle:
0
0
  1. (Informal) To give in; buckle:
  2. To bring from an extended to a closed position:
  3. To bend or press (something) so that one part is over another; double up on itself
Find another word for fail. In this page you can discover 184 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for fail, like: miscarry, be inadequate, bust, fall-short, miss, slip, lose, make-nothing-of, come to naught, come-to-nothing and falter.

Sentence Examples

  • I won't fail again, Dusty, I promise.

  • You didn't fail me.

  • Now we are certainly on the fuzzy edges, a place where words, often fuzzy in their meanings, begin to fail us.

  • With any luck, his Watcher wouldn't fail him.

  • You could've waited a day for him to fail then cured Selyn.

More sentences →

Words that mention fail in the Dictionary

Words near fail in the Thesaurus