fail
verb (used without object)
to fall short of success or achievement in something expected, attempted, desired, or approved.
have failed
-
present perfectof fail.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
One reason the shares of so-called smid-cap energy stocks that insiders are buying look cheap is that they have failed to keep up with oil prices, Messier told me in a recent interview.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026
But Riyadh's strikes have failed to reverse the group's gains.
From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026
But negotiations have failed for months to get back off the ground.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026
It is unclear why the CDC and other federal agencies across two administrations have failed to publicly respond to the increase in deaths despite having access to the same information ProPublica analyzed.
From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026
I may have failed in my mission, but you also fail if you don’t try.
From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman
