Synonyms and antonyms of failure in English
These are words and phrases related to failure. Click on any word or phrase to go to its thesaurus page. Or,
go to the definition of failure.
THE FACT OF NOT BEING SUCCESSFUL
Failure is not an option.
Synonyms and examples
breakdown
The complete breakdown of local infrastructure left residents without water or electricity.
meltdown
The markets experienced a meltdown at the news of the sale.
collapse
The car manufacturer's collapse left the region's economy in tatters.
washout
informal
We made plans to see the concert together, but she got sick and my car broke down, so it was a total washout.
fiasco
We had so many staff call in sick that the shift was a complete fiasco.
debacle
After the Watergate debacle, Americans demanded more accountability for the President.
omnishambles
UK informal
His political campaign was a complete omnishambles from the very beginning.
non-success
Studies show that students who are not given adequate preparation are prone to non-success.
Antonym and example
success
I wish you success in all your future endeavours.
See words related to failure
crack
informal
go belly up
mainly US informal
go down the pan
UK informal
go pear-shaped
UK informal
come a cropper
informal
go down the tubes
informal
crash and burn
informal
bomb
mainly US informal
turkey
informal
clunker
US informal
dud
informal
lemon
mainly US informal
be a disaster
informal
loser
informal
no-hoper
UK
non-starter
informal
inaction
formal
Learn more
When something fails, it does not work or does not happen as intended. The fact of being unsuccessful is called failure. Failure is also used to describe someone or something that is not successful or the fact of not doing something that you should.
SOMEONE OR SOMETHING THAT IS NOT SUCCESSFUL
The shuttle launch was a complete failure.
Synonyms and examples
success
The operation was a success.
lame duck
All the books in this series are excellent - there are no lame ducks.
non-success
The programme was required to track all measurable successes and non-successes.
See words related to failure
crack
informal
go belly up
mainly US informal
go down the pan
UK informal
go pear-shaped
UK informal
come a cropper
informal
go down the tubes
informal
crash and burn
informal
washout
informal
omnishambles
UK informal
flameout
US informal
inefficacy
formal
inaction
formal
Learn more
When something fails, it does not work or does not happen as intended. The fact of being unsuccessful is called failure. Failure is also used to describe someone or something that is not successful or the fact of not doing something that you should.
THE FACT OF NOT DOING SOMETHING YOU SHOULD
Failure to follow the employee guidelines can lead to your immediate termination.
Synonyms and examples
default
The bank seized his house because his mortgage was in default.
malpractice
The surgeon was sued for malpractice.
dereliction
He was dishonourably discharged for dereliction of duty.
neglect
Corruption and neglect resulted in a government that was weakened enough to be overthrown.
negligence
Educational standards deteriorated thanks to the negligence of the administration.
lapse
His first marriage was certainly a lapse in judgment.
non-action
Their non-action will hinder our ability to move forward with the plan.
See words related to failure
crack
informal
go belly up
mainly US informal
go down the pan
UK informal
go pear-shaped
UK informal
come a cropper
informal
go down the tubes
informal
crash and burn
informal
bomb
mainly US informal
washout
informal
omnishambles
UK informal
flameout
US informal
inefficacy
formal
turkey
informal
clunker
US informal
dud
informal
lemon
mainly US informal
be a disaster
informal
loser
informal
no-hoper
UK
non-starter
informal
Learn more
When something fails, it does not work or does not happen as intended. The fact of being unsuccessful is called failure. Failure is also used to describe someone or something that is not successful or the fact of not doing something that you should.
failure | American Thesaurus
These are words and phrases related to failure. Click on any word or phrase to go to its thesaurus page. Or,
go to the definition of failure.
Her failure to get the job surprised us.
Synonyms
Antonyms
The bank warned him about his failure to meet the payments.
Antonyms
The failure of the bank caused a panic in the town.
Antonyms
The party was a failure. His wife thinks he's a failure.
Synonyms
Antonyms
The failure of her eyesight makes reading difficult.
Antonyms
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a device that measures air pressure and shows when the weather is likely to change
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