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.
The Justice Department alleged the company failed to comply with antidiscrimination requirements in its federal contracts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
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
Shortly after the first series aired, she found out she had failed the exam - but says that won't be the end of her pursuit of the qualification.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
"I tried to unlock it for about 20 years, I tried moving the dials, finding the right combinations, and I failed," he said.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
“It seems like you’ve failed royally at that.”
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
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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.
