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Definitions

failure

[feyl-yer] / ˈfeɪl yər /
NOUN
lack of success
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 sinking ship 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
person who does not succeed
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disappointment
STRONG
also-ran bankrupt bum castaway deadbeat defaulter derelict dud flop good-for-nothing has-been incompetent insolvent loafer loser might-have-been moocher nobody prodigal turkey underachiever washout
WEAK
born loser lumpy no-good nonperformer
Antonyms
STRONG
hard worker success
WEAK
accomplishment achievement achiever attainment earnings gain merit win

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.

While I’m glad the university at least acknowledged its academic decline in its recent report, failure demands accountability.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

He said Israeli authorities "cannot be unaware" of what cargo was inside vessels arriving at their country's ports, and warned that their failure to prevent the grain shipments was undermining bilateral relations.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Last October, I called OpenAI a possible single point of failure for the broad AI trade, and at least for the moment, that worry is newly shaking markets.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

SoftBank has an 11% stake in OpenAI and also has made separate investments in AI data centers, creating essentially the purest play on OpenAI’s success or failure.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Like the failure to compensate the original holders of government securities, this was unfair.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Vocabulary lists containing failure

"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 6

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List 6

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List 2

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