FAILING Synonyms: 204 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

failing 1 of 3

noun

ˈfā-liŋ

Definition of failing

as in fault

a defect in character we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

failing

2 of 3

adjective

as in dying

Related Words

failing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of fail

as in crashing

to stop functioning my car failed just as I was about to head to work

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starting (up)

as in collapsing

to be unsuccessful despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office

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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

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as in weakening

to lose bodily strength or vigor ever since she reached the age of 90, Grandma has been noticeably failing

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as in forgetting

to miss the opportunity or obligation failed to mention that he was looking for new job

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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

Sussman is inclined to see such preferences as further evidence of capitalism’s moral failings. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 Following Tuesday’s inquest, Metropolitan Police said that an internal review had found failings in its investigation into Heklina’s death but disputed claims that homophobia played a part in how its investigation was handled. — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The World Bank, International Monetary Fund and International Criminal Court, which all got failing grades in last year's survey, saw the biggest gains. — Andrea Shalal, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026 The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention. — Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Jan. 2026

Verb

Speaking at Mater Hospital in Dublin, the head of the main public employees union, Forsa, blamed the government for failing to address the pay demands of workers. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Fort Worth parents of special education students are accusing Fort Worth ISD of breaking state and federal law by failing to provide services to students in a timely manner. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for failing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for failing

Noun

The court ruled in favor of summary judgment for OpenAI and found Walters had not established fault and damages.

— Kaitlin Newkirk, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
The military attributed the crash of a PAC MFI-17 Mushshak plane near the town of Nawan Killi in Balochistan province to a technical fault.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of fault

Verb

The co-pilot is alleged to have stabbed the plane’s captain and taken over the flight controls with the intention of crashing it into Ben-Gurion airport.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
An assistant football coach at the University of Connecticut allegedly ordered nine drinks and two ½ bottles of wine before crashing into a tree in Tolland over the summer and leaving the scene, court papers said.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of crashing

Verb

His message delivery is no more successful than Todd’s, and now the entire conference is in danger of collapsing.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
The wounded man fled across the parking lot before collapsing near Seminary Drive, where responding officers attempted lifesaving measures.

— Giles Hudson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of collapsing

Verb

Indeed, the streamer’s engagement momentum has been disappointing Wall Street analysts and management alike, with intense competition for audiences’ attention from the likes of YouTube and TikTok as the background.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026
The defense was highly touted coming into the season, but has been disappointing the last two games defending the rush.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of disappointing

Verb

Mortgage demand continues to drop sharply, as buyers face higher prices and weakening affordability.

— Diana Olick, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
The upper-level trough over the western United States will gradually advance eastward, weakening the influence of the ridge that has kept us hot and relatively dry.

— Michael Autovino, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of weakening

Noun

Every monster has unique strengths and weaknesses, and each demands a different response.

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
As rules and institutions constrain less and brute power matters more, countries will seek partners to help them blunt sanctions, access critical technologies, compensate for military weaknesses, expand their room for maneuver, and resist isolation.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of weakness

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“Failing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/failing. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of failing

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