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Synonyms

without fail

Idioms  

  1. For certain, as in That check will arrive tomorrow morning without fail. This idiom today is used mainly to strengthen a statement. [Early 1700s]

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.

"Pretty much without fail every sceptical scientist that comes on board who gets to go on a dive changes their opinion."

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

Assuming they saved $425 each month, and did so without fail, the renter would spend 199 months saving for a home.

From Salon • Mar. 9, 2025

"Even now every Christmas without fail we have to have the Morecambe and Wise show on."

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2025

These scaly creatures, 400 meters long and with thousands of long, razor-sharp teeth, attack the mining operations without fail.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 27, 2024

The paper was frayed and nearly falling apart because every night, without fail, Pili would read to her little brother.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

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.