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.
"We spent so many months with no fresh rations as the ships failed to reach here, or the limited vegetables they were carrying were spoiled during the long journey," she recalled.
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
He was expected to be out for three weeks, but failed to make the Bairns' final matchday squad against Rangers at the weekend.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
But here’s the jujitsu move: McElroy then neutralized O’Connor’s order to enforce the subpoena by nullifying the subpoena itself, because the DOJ had failed to identify any possible law-breaking by the hospital.
From Slate • May 18, 2026
Old, failed ideas have a way of appealing to young, naive people.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026
“Or perhaps I failed to capture the death-defying drama of it all? I hope my muse hasn’t left me again.”
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
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.
