failing

[fey-ling]

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

/ ˈfeɪlɪŋ /

noun

1. a weak point; flaw

preposition

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

   failing a solution this afternoon, the problem will have to wait until Monday

Other Word Forms

• failingly adverb
• failingness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of failing¹

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

Synonym Study

See fault.

Example Sentences

Already, a flurry of complaints have been filed over the last 10 months accusing various L.A and California officials of failing to prepare for and respond to the fire.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

To keep ObamaCare afloat, the federal government has propped it up with hundreds of billions of dollars in handouts directly to the insurance industry while failing to lower costs.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

But the Tories are failing to capitalize, because voters fleeing Labour are flocking to the upstart Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage instead.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

In Spain, nuclear companies are planning to shut their nuclear plants after failing to agree on financial incentives with authorities to keep them open.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The EU Court of Justice on Thursday handed Greece a heavy daily fine for failing to shut down an illegal landfill in a key marine park on the tourist island of Zakynthos.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• defect 
• deficiency 
• drawback 
• error 
• failure 
• fault 
• flaw 
• foible 
• frailty 
• imperfection 
• weakness