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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

They do not mesh well at first, in part because of problems in their personal lives—in Ryan’s case, a failing career back home because he wouldn’t join his colleagues in taking a payoff.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Nimale said the optics of the Olympics promising affordable tickets to local residents but on some counts failing to deliver show a need for a different system.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

He said the Home Office "made manifest errors", including failing to provide "appropriate and sufficient reasons to justify" awarding the contract to MTC.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

I think of the parks and the restaurants, of the pleasantries I'll never use on the friends I am failing to make.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris