failed
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of failed
First recorded in 1650–60; fail ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ahead of the vote, Orban denied resurfaced claims that he was an informant, sharing documents on Facebook showing a failed attempt to recruit him during his military service in the 1980s.
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
In the end, Musk’s efforts to cut government spending failed to live up to the hype.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
When the reconciliation failed, the custody fight landed there, where a lawyer wanted $7,000.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026
A rival Russian draft to extend the mission also failed to secure enough votes.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
Three things never failed to shock the social worker: people’s capacity for cruelty, their capacity for kindness, and their capacity for change.
From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
