failing

noun

fail·ing

ˈfā-liŋ

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

a usually slight or insignificant defect in character, conduct, or ability

preposition

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

in absence or default of //failing specific instructions, use your own judgment

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

demerit dereliction fault foible frailty shortcoming sin vice want weakness

Antonyms: Noun

merit virtue

Examples

Noun

//He has some minor failings.
//we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night

Preposition

//Failing progress in the peace process, war seems likely.

First Known Use

Noun

1590, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

1810, in the meaning defined above

failing

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

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

demerit dereliction fault foible frailty shortcoming sin vice want weakness
Related Words

blot spot stain
blemish deficiency flaw imperfection minus nit
Achilles' heel soft spot
corruption depravity evil immorality sinfulness wickedness
Synonymous Phrases

feet of clay
Near Antonyms

excellence perfection
goodness integrity morality probity rectitude righteousness
Antonyms

merit virtue

adjective

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

as in dying, declining
Synonyms & Near Synonyms

decaying declining dying waning
overrefined precious
debilitated enervate enervated enfeebled feeble frail languid sapped soft wasted weak weakened wimpy
decadent decayed degenerate effete overripe washed-up
dissolute immoral
debased debauched degraded demoralized depraved dissipated

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

present participle of fail

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

breaking breaking down conking (out) crashing cutting out dying giving out stalling
Related Words

fizzling sputtering wheezing
acting up malfunctioning
jamming
Antonyms

starting (up)
to be unsuccessful //despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms

bombing collapsing cratering flaming out flopping flunking folding foundering missing striking out tanking washing out
Related Words

floundering struggling
declining sinking skidding slipping slumping waning
crashing crumbling miscarrying misfiring
going under
imploding self-destructing
Synonymous Phrases

coming a cropper coming to grief coming up empty dying on the vine falling flat falling on one's face falling short laying an egg
Near Antonyms

cooking flourishing prospering thriving
prevailing triumphing winning
Antonyms

clicking coming off delivering going going over panning out succeeding working out
to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of //although the minor-league franchise continues to fail local fans, hope springs eternal
Synonyms

cheating disappointing dissatisfying letting down
Related Words

bumming (out) chagrining discontenting disgruntling displeasing distressing upsetting
disenchanting disillusioning
deceiving deluding mocking
Near Antonyms

fulfilling
gladdening
Antonyms

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

decaying drooping emaciating fading flagging going lagging languishing sagging sinking wasting (away) weakening wilting withering
Related Words

breaking down wearing out
yielding
degenerating deteriorating rotting running down
Near Antonyms

convalescing rallying rebounding recovering recuperating
gaining
to miss the opportunity or obligation //failed to mention that he was looking for new job
Synonyms

forgetting neglecting omitting
Related Words

disregarding ignoring overlooking overpassing passing over pretermitting slighting
sliding slipping
defaulting
skipping
Synonymous Phrases

missing out on
Near Antonyms

heeding minding remembering
keeping observing
carrying out doing executing performing practicing (also practising)
discharging fulfilling meeting satisfying
complying (with)

failing

noun

fail·ing

ˈfā-liŋ

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

a usually slight or insignificant defect in character, conduct, or ability

preposition

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

in absence or default of //failing specific instructions, use your own judgment

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

demerit dereliction fault foible frailty shortcoming sin vice want weakness

Antonyms: Noun

merit virtue

Examples

Noun

//He has some minor failings.
//we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night

Preposition

//Failing progress in the peace process, war seems likely.

First Known Use

Noun

1590, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

1810, in the meaning defined above

failing

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)

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

demerit dereliction fault foible frailty shortcoming sin vice want weakness
Related Words

blot spot stain
blemish deficiency flaw imperfection minus nit
Achilles' heel soft spot
corruption depravity evil immorality sinfulness wickedness
Synonymous Phrases

feet of clay
Near Antonyms

excellence perfection
goodness integrity morality probity rectitude righteousness
Antonyms

merit virtue

adjective

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 3)

as in dying, declining
Synonyms & Near Synonyms

decaying declining dying waning
overrefined precious
debilitated enervate enervated enfeebled feeble frail languid sapped soft wasted weak weakened wimpy
decadent decayed degenerate effete overripe washed-up
dissolute immoral
debased debauched degraded demoralized depraved dissipated

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 3 of 3)

present participle of fail

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

breaking breaking down conking (out) crashing cutting out dying giving out stalling
Related Words

fizzling sputtering wheezing
acting up malfunctioning
jamming
Antonyms

starting (up)
to be unsuccessful //despite all the publicity, the movie failed miserably at the box office
Synonyms

bombing collapsing cratering flaming out flopping flunking folding foundering missing striking out tanking washing out
Related Words

floundering struggling
declining sinking skidding slipping slumping waning
crashing crumbling miscarrying misfiring
going under
imploding self-destructing
Synonymous Phrases

coming a cropper coming to grief coming up empty dying on the vine falling flat falling on one's face falling short laying an egg
Near Antonyms

cooking flourishing prospering thriving
prevailing triumphing winning
Antonyms

clicking coming off delivering going going over panning out succeeding working out
to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of //although the minor-league franchise continues to fail local fans, hope springs eternal
Synonyms

cheating disappointing dissatisfying letting down
Related Words

bumming (out) chagrining discontenting disgruntling displeasing distressing upsetting
disenchanting disillusioning
deceiving deluding mocking
Near Antonyms

fulfilling
gladdening
Antonyms

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

decaying drooping emaciating fading flagging going lagging languishing sagging sinking wasting (away) weakening wilting withering
Related Words

breaking down wearing out
yielding
degenerating deteriorating rotting running down
Near Antonyms

convalescing rallying rebounding recovering recuperating
gaining
to miss the opportunity or obligation //failed to mention that he was looking for new job
Synonyms

forgetting neglecting omitting
Related Words

disregarding ignoring overlooking overpassing passing over pretermitting slighting
sliding slipping
defaulting
skipping
Synonymous Phrases

missing out on
Near Antonyms

heeding minding remembering
keeping observing
carrying out doing executing performing practicing (also practising)
discharging fulfilling meeting satisfying
complying (with)