Synonyms of fail

23 similar words · 1 opposite word

Another word for fail is founder. Other synonyms of fail are miscarry. The opposite of fail is succeed.

Synonyms and similar words for fail

miscarryTo fail to achieve some purpose; to be unsuccessful, to go wrong (of a business, project etc.).
founderTo fail; to miscarry.
come to noughtTo fail completely; to have no successful result.
come to nothingTo fail completely; to have no result.
crash and burnTo fail utterly.
fall flatTo produce no humour, inspiration, etc.
fall on one's faceTo fail, especially in a dramatic or particularly decisive manner.
go downhillTo worsen or degenerate.
go down the toiletTo fail.
go to pot
go to the dogsTo decline or deteriorate shockingly.
go up in flames
go up in smoke
die in the assTo fail to function properly.
everything one touches turns to shitEverything someone uses or does fails or becomes worse.
go to hell
go to shit vulgarTo completely fail; to have no result.

go
bombTo fail dismally.
bust
conkTo fail or show signs of failing, cease operating, break down.
tankTo fail or fall (often used in describing the economy or the stock market); to degenerate or decline rapidly; to...

verb To be unsuccessful.
verb Not to achieve a particular stated goal. (Usage note: The direct object of this word is usually an infinitive.).
verb To neglect.

What is another word for fail?: Fail has 23 synonyms on Word.ws, such as founder and miscarry.
What is the opposite of fail?: The opposite of fail is succeed.
What does fail mean?: Fail means to be unsuccessful.

Adapted from Wiktionary: fail (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

Last updated: 2026-09-02

Cite this page: “Synonyms of fail.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/fail. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.