failing 1 of 3

failing

2 of 3

adjective

failing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of fail
1
as in crashing
to stop functioning my car failed just as I was about to head to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in disappointing
to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of although the minor-league franchise continues to fail local fans, hope springs eternal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun failing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of failing are fault, foible, frailty, and vice. While all these words mean "an imperfection or weakness of character," failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character.

being late is a failing of mine

When might fault be a better fit than failing?

The synonyms fault and failing are sometimes interchangeable, but fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit.

a writer of many virtues and few faults

When is foible a more appropriate choice than failing?

While in some cases nearly identical to failing, foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy.

an eccentric's charming foibles

When could frailty be used to replace failing?

The words frailty and failing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation.

human frailties

When would vice be a good substitute for failing?

Although the words vice and failing have much in common, vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others.

compulsive gambling was his vice

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of failing
Noun
But the fund’s failings struck at the heart of New York’s intentions, said Eric Olson, a corporate and finance lawyer at Cleary Gottlieb, a white-shoe firm helping some licensees to develop their businesses pro bono. Ashley Southall, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025 Imposter syndrome, however, masquerades as an internal failing, leading women to pathologize themselves rather than confront the systems perpetuating their struggles. Shari Dunn, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
Last year, 23andMe agreed to pay $30 million in cash to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of failing to protect customers whose personal information was exposed in this breach. Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025 The penalties for failing to comply are harsh. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for failing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for failing
Noun
  • The ’keeper was very much at fault for Newcastle’s final goal, clipping a pass straight to Joelinton, who passed for Bruno Guimaraes to add the fourth.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The 29-year-old was at fault for both of Lyon’s goals in Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg in France, which United drew 2-2.
    David Ornstein, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Sporting’s Joaquin Fernandez was lucky to not get sent off in the dying seconds of the opening half.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is a $10 billion boondoggle that places a very expensive band-aid on a dying public school system.
    Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse On March 26, a container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, collapsing the bridge and killing six construction workers who were filling potholes on the span.
    Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 26 Dec. 2024
  • This pre-dates the casual fashions that would take hold during the 1960s, eventually collapsing traditional dressiness by the 1970s, making Sumbariners and GMT Masters the thing to wear.
    Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.
    Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
  • With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.
    Jason Schenker, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But sticking to a set of core values and not forgetting the mission and vision (while embracing growth) is key to keeping customers engaged and loyal.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Though May 11 — the date Mother’s Day falls on this year — might seem lightyears away, don’t grow too complacent and make the all-too-common mistake of forgetting to secure Mom, or the mother figure in your life, a gift until the very last moment.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • However, economists say trade deficits aren’t a sign of national weakness.
    Time, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The dollar strengthened after days of weakness, and oil rose back above $60, starting to climb out of a danger zone.
    Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While pruning, remove any winter damage, along with dead and declining growths, to allow new shoots to reform the plant.
    Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 6 Mar. 2021
  • In order to reopen, counties must demonstrate declining prevalence of COVID-19, testing ability of 30 tests per 10,000 residents per week, contact tracing and isolation facilities.
    Fox News, Fox News, 15 May 2020
Verb
  • But because of passenger complaints and the need to revitalize a struggling tourist economy, the government adopted new regulations last month that will force a change in these habits.
    Natasha Frost, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
  • The state has grown increasingly reliant on unlicensed teachers because schools are struggling to retain experienced educators.
    Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Failing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failing. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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