Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
fail (verb)intransitive verb
1.
a) to lose strength - weaken her health was failing
b) to fade or die away - until our family line fails
c) to stop functioning normally - the patient's heart failed
2.
a) to fall short - failed in his duty
b) to be or become absent or inadequate - the water supply failed
c) to be unsuccessful - the marriage failed , specifically to be unsuccessful in achieving a passing grade - took the exam and failed
transitive verb
d) to become bankrupt or insolvent
1.
a) to disappoint the expectations or trust of - her friends failed her
b) to miss performing an expected service or function for - his wit failed him
2.
to be deficient in - lack never failed an invincible courage Douglas MacArthur
3.
to leave undone - neglect fail to lock the door
4.
a) to be unsuccessful in passing - failed chemistry
b) to grade (as a student) as not passing
1.
- failure usually used in the phrase without fail
2.
a (as by a security dealer) to deliver or receive securities within a prescribed period after purchase or sale - failure
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
fail (verb)1.
to stop functioning
SYNONIMS:
break, break down, conk (out), crash, cut out, die, give out, stallRELATED WORDS:
fizzle, sputter, wheeze; act up, malfunction; jam2.
to be unsuccessful
SYNONIMS:
bomb, collapse, crater, flame out, flop, flunk, fold, founder, miss, strike out, tank, wash outRELATED WORDS:
flounder, struggle; decline, sink, skid, slip, slump, wane; crash, crumble, miscarry, misfire; go under; implode, self-destructNEAR ANTONYMS:
cook, flourish, prosper, thrive; prevail, triumph, win3.
to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of
SYNONIMS:
cheat, dissatisfy, fail, let downRELATED WORDS:
bum (out), chagrin, discontent, disgruntle, displease, distress, upset; disenchant, disillusion; deceive, delude, mockNEAR ANTONYMS:
fulfill ( fulfil); gladden4.
to lose bodily strength or vigor
SYNONIMS:
decay, droop, emaciate, fade, fail, flag, go, lag, languish, sag, sink, waste (away), wilt, witherRELATED WORDS:
break down, wear out; yield; degenerate, deteriorate, rot, run downNEAR ANTONYMS:
convalesce, rally, rebound, recover, recuperate; gain5.
to miss the opportunity or obligation
SYNONIMS:
fail, forget, omitRELATED WORDS:
disregard, ignore, overlook, overpass, pass over, pretermit, slight; slide, slip; default; skipNEAR ANTONYMS:
heed, mind, remember; keep, observe; carry out, do, execute, perform, practice ( practise); discharge, fulfill ( fulfil), meet, satisfy; comply (with)