failing

[ fey-ling ]

noun

1. an act or instance of failing; failure:

   His failing is due to general incompetence.

2. a defect or fault; shortcoming; weakness:

   His lack of knowledge is a grave failing.

preposition

1. in the absence or default of:

   Failing payment, we shall sue.

failing

/ ˈfeɪlɪŋ /

noun

1. a weak point; flaw

preposition

1. used to express a condition in default of

   failing a solution this afternoon, the problem will have to wait until Monday

Derived Forms

• ˈfailingly, adverb

Other Words From

• failing·ly adverb
• failing·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of failing¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; fail, -ing ¹

Synonym Study

See fault.

Example Sentences

Sensing trouble, when Johnson assumed the role, many onlookers used the phrase “glass cliff” to indicate the belief that Johnson was taking on leadership of a failing company and thus doomed to fail herself.

From Fortune

The state of global bodies that, despite their many failings, have been instrumental in building and enforcing international laws is no better.

From Ozy

In his ruling, Judge Tan Ikram said Uber, which claims to have over 45,000 drivers in the city, was now “fit and proper” to hold a London private-hire vehicle operator’s license “despite their historical failings.”

From Fortune

The company’s failings reflect a broader struggle within the industry to commercialize a technology with so much promise.

From Fortune

The National Security Council in this early period also struggled, without someone with a clinical epidemiology or global health security background empowered to run the response or challenge health officials — a huge failing, this official added.

From Washington Post

He beat his illness twice, wrote about his battles with the disease, and continued broadcasting even as his health was failing.

From The Daily Beast

Annie Lee Cooper, well played by Winfrey, is shown trying but failing to register to vote.

From The Daily Beast

But failing that, he advised pro-immigration reform Republican candidates such as former Gov. Jeb Bush to just skip the state.

From The Daily Beast

They recorded 10,549 graves on or near the railway in 144 cemeteries, failing to locate only 52 graves.

From The Daily Beast

So by failing, I go audition for Any Given Sunday [and] things turn out right.

From The Daily Beast

HE ordered a lunch which he thought the girl would like, with wine to revive the faculties that he knew must be failing.

From Project Gutenberg

The foster-father, who was an American resident in Hong-Kong, found his eyesight gradually failing him.

From Project Gutenberg

Before Ulm he nearly ruined Napoleon's combination by failing to get in contact with the enemy.

From Project Gutenberg

Norman went slowly down, with failing knees, hardly able to conquer the shudder that came over him, as he passed those rooms.

From Project Gutenberg

The country abounded in excellent native fruits, and the mandioc furnished never-failing stores of bread.

From Project Gutenberg