Synonyms for failure
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Opposite of success
failing, fail, lack, fault, error, shortcoming, deterioration, neglect, insufficiency, decline, fiasco, deficiency, omission, dereliction, botch, miss, lapse, miscarriage, oversight, decay, default, fizzle
2. Loser — an object, person or endeavour in a state of failure, has failed at something or incapable of success
3. Disappointment
disappointment, frustration, balk US, baulk UK
Other
loss, bankruptcy, defection, crash, insolvency, never-was-er, nonstarter, nonperformance, nonobservance rare, nonsuccess rare
Definitions
- n. 1
An object, person or endeavour in a state of failure, has failed at something or incapable of success.
- n. 2
State or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective, opposite of success.
- n. 3
State or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective, opposite of success. A condition in which a specified organ does not function well enough to support life.
Related words
Forms
- Plural
- failures → failings, fails, lacks, faults…
Choose the right word
Any considerable disappointment, failure, or misfortune, as regards outward circumstances, as loss of fortune, position, and the like, when long continued or attended with enduring consequences, constitutes adversity.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- lack I had to leave out this problem for lack of space.
- fault Tom's actions aren't my fault. Just remember that.
- fail See to it that this letter is posted without fail.
- failing I received a remark for failing to greet everyone.
- loss Loss of health is more serious than loss of money.
- crash There was a chain-reaction crash during rush hour.
By length
- 3 letters
- dud1
- 4 letters
- miss1, loss1, lack1, fail1, balk1
- 5 letters
- fault1, error2, crash1, loser2, decay2, lapse1, botch1, baulk
- 6 letters
- fiasco3, fizzle2
- 7 letters
- decline2, failing2, default2, neglect2
- 8 letters
- omission3
- 9 letters
- oversight3, defection3
- 10 letters
- bankruptcy3, deficiency4, insolvency4, nonstarter3, nonsuccess
- 11 letters
- frustration3, miscarriage3, shortcoming3, dereliction4
- 13 letters
- deterioration6, insufficiency5, nonobservance
- 14 letters
- disappointment4, nonperformance
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (error2 = 2 syllables).