failed

[ feyld ]

adjective

1. falling short of success or achievement in something expected, desired, etc.:

   bad memories from a failed relationship; a failed attempt to save his daughter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of failed¹

First recorded in 1650–60; fail ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

She’s as indifferent to facts as Sarah Palin, whose political power after the failed 2008 vice presidential bid helped give tailwinds to the Tea Party revolution of 2010.

From Time

Since the 1990 qualifying cycle, the only time they had earned fewer than four was in the failed 2018 campaign.

From Washington Post

Just as a doomsday cult continually reworks its calculations to account for failed end of days predictions, QAnon is always moving the goalposts for when its big day will arrive.

From FiveThirtyEight

He distanced himself from the GOP establishment, saying he’ll never allow the return of “the failed Republican establishment of yesteryear.”

From FiveThirtyEight

Those whose belief in the QAnon conspiracy was shaken by the failed prophecy of Inauguration Day may consider abandoning the group, and online posts suggest at least some members are, but they will need support to really sever their connection.

From FiveThirtyEight

Ultimately, Gow says, the brothers failed in their efforts to recreate the Auroch.

From The Daily Beast

This is the Mexico that has been called a “failed state” — most recently by Jose “Pepe” Mujica, the president of Uruguay.

From The Daily Beast

Their first attempt to unseat the House speaker failed miserably, so why not try again?

From The Daily Beast

Apparently, the company “failed to properly test its systems.”

From The Daily Beast

Yet meaningful negotiations to free the hostages have failed to get off the ground.

From The Daily Beast

But with all her advantages Miss Solomonson failed with the old lord, and she abuses him to this day.

From Project Gutenberg

This was my sincere endeavor, in those many discourses I had with that monarch, although it unfortunately failed of success.

From Project Gutenberg

He failed to see that this man had suffered bitterly through his evil machinations.

From Project Gutenberg

History gives them scant notice, and the Federal government has failed to reward them as they deserve.

From Project Gutenberg

Probably his Private Secretary, considering you a new man, will have failed to furnish the necessary information.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abortive
• disastrous
• doomed
• foiled
• fruitless
• futile
• ill-fated
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• losing
• thwarted
• useless
• vain