verb
1.
to lose strength, power, vitality, or intensity
his health failed and he retired early
Synonyms: decline, deteriorate, ||dwine, fade, flag, languish, weaken
Related Word: jade, sink, slip, waste (away), worsen
Idioms: go downhill, hit the skids
Contrasted words: better, improve, strengthen
2.
to become used up
food failed before they got back to civilization
Synonyms: give out, run out
Related Word: dwindle, shrink, wane
3.
to be or become inadequate or deficient
the spring gradually failed as the drought persisted
Synonyms: dwindle, shrink, wane, waste (away), weaken
Related Word: decrease, diminish, lessen; give out, run out; short
Idioms: be found wanting
Contrasted words: appreciate, gain, grow, increase, wax
4.
to be less than adequate or successful
the attack failed
Synonyms: bomb, ||flop, flummox, wash out
Related Word: bankrupt, deplete, drain, exhaust, impoverish; bust out, flunk, ||spin
Idioms: come to grief, fall flat ( or short), go on the rocks, ||lay an egg, ||take the count
Antonyms: succeed
5.
to be unable to meet financial engagements
the bank failed
Synonyms: break, bust, crash, fold
Related Word: gazette; close, end, finish, terminate
Idioms: be ruined, go bankrupt, go broke, go on the rocks, go to the wall, go under
Contrasted words: boom, prosper
6.
Synonyms: neglect , blink (at or away), discount, disregard, forget, ignore, omit, overlook, overpass, slight
Idioms: be found wanting, come ( or fall) short of