n. Function: verb
1 to lose strength, power, vitality, or intensity FF1C; his health failed and he retired early FF1E;
Synonyms: decline, deteriorate, ||dwine, fade, flag, languish, weaken
Related Words: jade, sink, slip, waste (away), worsen
Idioms: go downhill, hit the skids
Contrasted Words: better, improve, strengthen
2 to become used up FF1C; food failed before they got back to civilization FF1E;
Synonyms: give out, run out
Related Words: dwindle, shrink, wane
3 to be or become inadequate or deficient FF1C; the spring gradually failed as the drought persisted FF1E;
Synonyms: dwindle, shrink, wane, waste (away), weaken
Related Words: 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 FF1C; the attack failed FF1E;
Synonyms: bomb, ||flop, flummox, wash out
Related Words: 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 FF1C; the bank failed FF1E;
Synonyms: break, bust, crash, fold
Related Words: 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