as in reliable
not likely to fail
flowers have been traditionally regarded as the fail-safe gift for Valentine's Day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in precaution
a measure taken to preclude loss or injury
there are so many fail-safes built into the system that a highly unlikely series of mistakes would have to be made before failure could occur
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fail-safe
Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024
This helps reduce the overall surface threat by relying on multiple solutions in a technology stack that either complement each other, provide a fail-safe or create redundancy.
—Rom Hendler, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2023
Shop Now 10 Navy Blue In areas with strict historic guidelines, navy blue is often a fail-safe.
—Elle Decor Editors, ELLE Decor, 17 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for fail-safe
Adjective
For a fail-safe choice, go for a white fabric liner constructed of polyester, canvas, or other natural fiber iterations (that are either mildew-resistant, water-repellent, and/or machine washable).
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024
This helps reduce the overall surface threat by relying on multiple solutions in a technology stack that either complement each other, provide a fail-safe or create redundancy.
—Rom Hendler, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Noun
The idea was to make bank oversight both stricter and more fail-safe.
—Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2023
Shop Now 10 Navy Blue In areas with strict historic guidelines, navy blue is often a fail-safe.
—Elle Decor Editors, ELLE Decor, 17 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for fail-safe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fail-safe
Adjective
-
The 3-month Treasury yield this week moved above the 10-year note, a historically reliable indicator of a recession at the 12- to 18-month horizon.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
-
With a credit card and a garage, enthusiasts can build a virtually new Mustang from scratch using show-quality reproduction parts available from dozens of reliable suppliers.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
While consumer spending may shift to lower-cost substitutes in a recession, these companies have taken precautions to dampen any worrisome investors.—
Steven Dudash,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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Beyond vaccination, Altmann suggests taking daily precautions to minimize your risk of getting sick.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
And there's one surefire way to know when someone is trying to pull one over on you.—
Allison Schrager,
Twin Cities,
27 Feb. 2025
-
With their win last week over New Mexico, coupled with early-season victories over Clemson and Saint Mary’s — surefire NCAA Tournament teams — the Broncos are in the conversation.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Indeed, failure to do so proved disastrous for some early human trials of preventives.—
David J. Waters,
Scientific American,
1 Sep. 2015
-
Padlocks, sickles and other objects made of iron, a metal said to possess anti-demonic powers, were stashed in the grave as preventives.—
Franz Lidz,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2023
Adjective
-
Authentic leadership fosters trust and connection, yet many leaders feel compelled to hide behind an infallible persona.—
Imamu "Mu" Tomlinson,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Nonetheless, an underperforming album or run of singles can render even seemingly infallible artists to the khia asylum – like, say, post-Radical Optimism Dua Lipa.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
11 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fail-safe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fail-safe. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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