Synonyms for fail

Synonyms for (verb) fail

Synonyms: fail

Definition: get worse

Usage: Her health is declining

Similar words: worsen, decline

Definition: grow worse

Usage: Conditions in the slum worsened


Synonyms: break, break down, die, conk out, go, go bad, give out, give way, fail

Definition: stop operating or functioning

Usage: The engine finally went; The car died on the road; The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town; The coffee maker broke; The engine failed on the way to town; her eyesight went after the accident

Similar words: change

Definition: undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature

Usage: She changed completely as she grew older; The weather changed last night


Synonyms: betray, fail

Definition: disappoint, prove undependable to; abandon, forsake

Usage: His sense of smell failed him this time; His strength finally failed him; His children failed him in the crisis

Similar words: let down, disappoint

Definition: fail to meet the hopes or expectations of

Usage: Her boyfriend let her down when he did not propose marriage


Synonyms: fail

Definition: judge unacceptable

Usage: The teacher failed six students

Similar words: evaluate, judge, pass judgment

Definition: form a critical opinion of

Usage: I cannot judge some works of modern art; How do you evaluate this grant proposal? We shouldn't pass judgment on other people


Visual thesaurus for fail