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fail
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- pronunciation:
- feIl
- parts of speech:
- intransitive verb, transitive verb, noun
- phrases:
- without fail
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer, Grammatical Patterns
| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
fails, failing, failed |
| definition 1: |
to be or become ineffective or unsuccessful; be lacking in an effort or attempt.
The mayor failed at the task of revitalizing the downtown area.She failed in her efforts to raise funds for the project.- synonyms:
- miscarry
- antonyms:
- prosper, succeed, triumph, work
- similar words:
- bite the dust, collapse, come a cropper, fizzle, flop, go down, miss
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| definition 2: |
to lose endurance or strength; decline.
The runner's strength began to fail after the fifteenth mile.His health began to fail rapidly after his wife died.- synonyms:
- decline, languish, sink
- similar words:
- decay, deteriorate, droop, dwindle, ebb, fade, lag, pine, trail, wane, weaken
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| definition 3: |
to stop operating.
The machines failed, and production came to an abrupt stop.The doctor said that any large effort could cause her heart to fail.- synonyms:
- break down, die
- similar words:
- blow, break, collapse, falter, go, stall
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| definition 4: |
to receive any grade below passing in a test or course.
If you don't study, you could fail.- synonyms:
- flunk
- similar words:
- bomb
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| definition 5: |
of a business, to become unable to make enough money to continue operating and to pay off debts; become insolvent.
The restaurant failed after only six months in business. |
| related words: |
abort, ail, come to grief, default, flaw, fold, give, go wrong, lock, lose, sag, slip, stall, waver |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to be unsuccessful in meeting the expectations of; disappoint.
He failed his friends by stealing their money to support his drug habit.He promised his daughter he would attend her graduation, but he failed her again.- synonyms:
- disappoint
- antonyms:
- achieve
- similar words:
- desert, forsake, let down
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| definition 2: |
to receive a grade below passing in (a test or course).
Sue failed her driving test.- synonyms:
- flunk
- antonyms:
- pass
- similar words:
- blow
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| definition 3: |
to give (someone) a grade below passing.
No teacher likes to fail a student.- synonyms:
- flunk
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| definition 4: |
to neglect or omit to do something important or required.
After he failed to pay the bill, the electric company turned off his power.[verb + infinitive
]
The injury occurred because the worker failed to follow the safety instructions.[verb + infinitive
]
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| related words: |
abort |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
in commerce, a failure to deliver securities on time, or to receive proceeds from a transaction.
- similar words:
- failure
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| phrase: |
without fail |
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