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Synonyms

failing

American  
[fey-ling] / ˈfeɪ lɪŋ /

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 British  
/ ˈfeɪlɪŋ /

noun

  1. a weak point; flaw

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

preposition

  1. (used to express a condition) in default of

    failing a solution this afternoon, the problem will have to wait until Monday
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See fault.

Other Word Forms

  • failingly adverb
  • failingness noun

Etymology

Origin of failing

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

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.

Five people were arrested for failing to disperse, Coss said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

When Kim finally spoke publicly of the move, he apologized for failing to bring them safely back home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Court papers show that Price was charged with speeding and failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of a vehicle.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Coming into Wednesday trading, Tesla’s stock was down about 14% since fighting began, failing to get a boost from higher gasoline prices that have, in the past, sent car buyers toward EVs seeking relief.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

He was failing her, and if he failed she would send him to the too-warm dream world.

From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.