failing

1 of 2

noun

fail·​ing ˈfā-liŋ How to pronounce failing (audio)
: a usually slight or insignificant defect in character, conduct, or ability

failing

2 of 2

preposition

: in absence or default of
failing specific instructions, use your own judgment
Choose the Right Synonym for failing

fault, failing, frailty, foible, vice mean an imperfection or weakness of character.

fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit.

a writer of many virtues and few faults

failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character.

being late is a failing of mine

frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation.

human frailties

foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy.

an eccentric's charming foibles

vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others.

compulsive gambling was his vice

Examples of failing in a Sentence

Noun He has some minor failings. we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night Preposition Failing progress in the peace process, war seems likely.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Alice & Jack embeds its defense of its failings right in its dialogue. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024 Republicans have cited Riley's death and the suspect's migrant status as an example of the White House's failings on the border, as both parties have emphasized their support for enhanced border security. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2024 Twenty-one years later, no one in government knows how often facilities’ failings lead to deaths or injuries, although individual state inspection reports are loaded with anecdotes of bad care at facilities owned by large chains and small, individual operations. Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, 16 Jan. 2024 Those results demonstrate how profitable Boeing can be when not beset by quality failings. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2024 Carrie Lane, professor of American Studies at Cal State Fullerton, believes the wave of interest in organizers to declutter and organize living spaces for a fee reveals failings in traditional employment that leave workers with little time to do this themselves. Nicole Gregory, Orange County Register, 16 Feb. 2024 Reports of ongoing rates of federal spending and deficits beyond any historical precedents speak to a complete lack of any strategy to deal with the economy’s failings. Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 That frequently brings the character into conflict with the world outside and particularly with Amy, always happy to point out her older sibling's failings. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2024 Suffer a big loss now, though, and the result would be added onto the pile of previous playoff failings – and the optics of that would not look good. USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'failing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1590, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

1810, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of failing was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near failing

Cite this Entry

“Failing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/failing. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

failing

1 of 2 noun
fail·​ing ˈfā-liŋ How to pronounce failing (audio)

failing

2 of 2 preposition
: in the absence or lack of
failing specific instructions, use your own judgment

More from Merriam-Webster on failing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!