failed state

noun

1. a nation in which the government has lost political authority and control and is unable to fulfill the basic responsibilities of a sovereign state.

failed state

noun

1. a weak state where social and political structures have collapsed to the point where the government has little or no control

Word History and Origins

Origin of failed state¹

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

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

The country is now set on a path towards becoming a failed state.

From The Daily Beast

After all of its efforts to undermine the U.S. mission, Tehran now has a violent, semi-failed state right on its border.

From The Daily Beast

Against Corruption—of the Democracy: Congress, Stockman believes, is a failed state.

From The Daily Beast

This will turn Syria into a Somalia-like failed state and a battleground for a proxy war.

From The Daily Beast